Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The character or quality of being combative; disposition to contend or fight; pugnacity. By phrenologists the word is used to designate one of the propensities. See cut under
phrenology .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The quality of being combative; propensity to contend or to quarrel.
- noun (Phren.) A cranial development supposed to indicate a combative disposition.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun the state of being
combative
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a militant aggressiveness
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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By taking away what the phrenologists call combativeness, we could doubtless stop prize-fight, but we might have a springless society.
The Complete Project Gutenberg Writings of Charles Dudley Warner Charles Dudley Warner 1864
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By taking away what the phrenologists call combativeness, we could doubtless stop prize-fight, but we might have a springless society.
Complete Essays Charles Dudley Warner 1864
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By taking away what the phrenologists call combativeness, we could doubtless stop prize-fight, but we might have a springless society.
Nine Short Essays Charles Dudley Warner 1864
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Do avoid the negative expression of the Warrior energy, such as combativeness and impulsiveness.
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The inference from this characteristic, that he possessed what phrenologists used to call "combativeness," is not unavoidable, though such was the fact.
Western Characters or Types of Border Life in the Western States J. L. McConnel
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A hot and impulsive temper was checked by the reflection that it was beneath the dignity of human nature to allow a rush of blood to the organs of "combativeness" and
The Reminiscences of an Astronomer Simon Newcomb 1872
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Back in April, this kind of combativeness was new for Goldman.
Financial Sector and Stocks Analysis from Seeking Alpha 2010
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The law-enforcement agencies suffer from a lack of combativeness.
Financial Crisis Prosecutions On Wall Street Slow To Develop Despite Cries For Justice Shahien Nasiripour 2011
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The law-enforcement agencies suffer from a lack of combativeness.
Financial Crisis Prosecutions On Wall Street Slow To Develop Despite Cries For Justice Shahien Nasiripour 2011
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Given Scalia's temperament, conservatives may want to be careful arguing that assertiveness/combativeness automatically disqualifies Supreme Court nominees.
Why I won't be stepping onto the High Court (Jack Bog's Blog) 2009
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