belligerent

views updated May 17 2018

bel·lig·er·ent / bəˈlijərənt/ • adj. hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man. ∎  engaged in a war or conflict, as recognized by international law.• n. a nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law.DERIVATIVES: bel·lig·er·ent·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

belligerent

views updated Jun 11 2018

belligerent waging war. XVI. Earlier belligerant — L. belligerant-, prp. stem of belligerāre, f. bellum war + gerere (see GESTATION).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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belligerency

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