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belligerent
belligerent definition
bel·lig·er·ent (bə lij′ər ənt)
adjective
- at war; designating or of a state recognized under international law as being engaged in a war
- of war; of fighting
- seeking war; warlike
- showing a readiness to fight or quarrel a belligerent gesture or tone
Etymology: L belligerans, prp. of belligerare, to wage war < bellum, war (see bellicose) + gerere, to carry on
noun
a belligerent person, group, or nation
Related Forms:
- belligerently bel·lig′·er·ently adverb
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