bellicose
UK: ˈbel.ɪ.kəʊs | US: ˈbel.ɪ.koʊs
adj. eager or quick to argue, fight, or wage war; warlike
bellicose = belli<war> + cose<adjective suffix>
- belli: From Latin bellum (war), preserved in English words like "belligerent" and "antebellum."
- cose: A Latin-derived adjectival suffix indicating a tendency or quality (similar to "-ous" in English, e.g., "ferocious").
Etymology Origin:
The word "bellicose" traces back to Latin bellicosus, meaning "warlike." It combines bellum (war) with the suffix -cosus, implying a propensity for conflict. This reflects the word’s enduring association with aggression, from ancient Roman military culture to modern descriptions of confrontational behavior.
The dictator’s bellicose rhetoric alarmed neighboring nations.
His bellicose attitude often led to unnecessary arguments.
The editorial criticized the government’s bellicose foreign policy.
Despite his bellicose reputation, he avoided physical fights.
The general’s bellicose speech rallied the troops for battle.