bellicose (2009-09-16)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: ['be-lê-kos]

Definition: Threatening war, making highly aggressive gestures.

Usage: Today's term is all too common in the language of international politics, "Saddam Hussein's bellicose posturing before the war led many to believe that his forces would offer more resistance than they did." Aside from diplomacy and foreign affairs, use this word only in cases of the most aggressive, threatening behavior: "The lady was angry when she returned the broken mixer. When I told her she would have to mail it to the manufacturer at her own expense for repairs, she became so bellicose that I ducked under the counter."

Suggested Usage: The adverb for today's word is "bellicosely" and the noun is "bellicosity." Three other adjectives with similar meanings are frequently confused with this word. "Bellicose" implies a proclivity for all out war, whether literal or figurative. "Belligerent" suggests an uncontrollable hostility that might lead to the person displaying it being asked to leave the premises. "Pugnacious" is related to pugilist "(fist) fighter, boxer" and is applicable to someone willing to pick a fight on a playground or in a bar. "Contentious" suggests an issue that raises a hot debate or a person who likes to argue over even insignificant issues.

Etymology: From Latin "bellicos-us" from bellum "war," as in antebellum "before the war." The same stem also underlies "belligerent" and is no doubt related to Sanskrit bala "army" and its derivative, balabA "a riot, uprising" (Hindi "balavA"). Finding other connections is difficult.