contend vs skirmish

contend is not a noun while skirmish is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contend	No	No	Yes	No
skirmish	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, skirmish is a hyponym of contend; that is, skirmish is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than contend:

contend (noun)	skirmish (noun)
	a minor short-term fight

contend (verb)	skirmish (verb)
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation	engage in a skirmish
have an argument about something
maintain or assert
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available