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
Origin:
L belligerans, prp. of belligerare, to wage war < bellum, war (see bellicose) + gerere, to carry on
noun
a belligerent person, group, or nation