Defn: A condition of belligerency to be maintained by physical force. In this sense, levying war against the sovereign authority is treason.
3. Instruments of war. [Poetic] His complement of stores, and total war. Prior.
4. Forces; army. [Poetic] On their embattled ranks the waves return, And overwhelm their war. Milton.
5. The profession of arms; the art of war. Thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth. 1 Sam. xvii. 33.
6. a state of opposition or contest; an act of opposition; an
inimical contest, act, or action; enmity; hostility. "Raised impious
war in heaven." Milton.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his
heart. Ps. lv. 21.
Civil war, a war between different sections or parties of the same
country or nation.
— Holy war. See under Holy.
— Man of war. (Naut.) See in the Vocabulary.
— Public war, a war between independent sovereign states.
— War cry, a cry or signal used in war; as, the Indian war cry.
— War dance, a dance among savages preliminary to going to war.
Among the North American Indians, it is begun by some distinguished
chief, and whoever joins in it thereby enlists as one of the party
engaged in a warlike excursion. Schoolcraft.
— War field, a field of war or battle.
— War horse, a horse used in war; the horse of a cavalry soldier;
especially, a strong, powerful, spirited horse for military service;
a charger.
— War paint, paint put on the face and other parts of the body by
savages, as a token of going to war. "Wash the war paint from your
faces." Longfellow.
— War song, a song of or pertaining to war; especially, among the
American Indians, a song at the war dance, full of incitements to
military ardor.
— War whoop, a war cry, especially that uttered by the American
Indians.
WAR
War, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Warred; p. pr. & vb. n. Warring.] 1
Defn: To make war; to invade or attack a state or nation with force
of arms; to carry on hostilities; to be in a state by violence.
Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of
Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it. Isa. vii. 1.
Why should I war without the walls of Troy Shak.
Our countrymen were warring on that day! Byron.
2. To contend; to strive violently; to fight. "Lusts which war against the soul." 1 Pet. ii. 11.
WAR
War, v. t.
1. To make war upon; to fight. [R.] To war the Scot, and borders to defend. Daniel.