wɔ: n. & v. --n. 1 a armed hostilities
between esp. nations;
conflict (war
broke out; war zone). b a
specific conflict or
the period of
time during which such conflict exists (was
before the war). c the
suspension of
international law etc. during such a conflict. 2 (as the War) a war in
progress or recently ended; the
most recent major war. 3 a
hostility or
contention between
people, groups, etc. (war of words). b (often foll. by on) a sustained
campaign against crime,
disease,
poverty, etc. --v.intr. (warred, warring) 1 (as
warring adj.) a
rival; fighting (warring factions). b conflicting (warring principles). 2
make war. øart of war
strategy and tactics. at war (often foll. by with)
engaged in a war. go to war
declare or
begin a war. go to the wars
archaic serve as a
soldier.
have been in the wars colloq.
appear injured, bruised,
unkempt, etc. war
baby a
child, esp.
illegitimate,
born in
wartime. war
bride a
woman who marries a
serviceman met during a war. war
chest funds
for a war or
any other campaign. war-cloud a threatening international
situation. war
correspondent a correspondent reporting
from a
scene of war. war crime a crime violating the international laws of war. war
criminal a
person committing or sentenced for such crimes. war
cry 1 a
phrase or
name shouted to rally one's troops. 2 a party
slogan etc. war
damage damage to
property etc. caused by bombing, shelling, etc. war
dance a dance performed by
primitive peoples etc. before a
battle or to
celebrate victory. war
department the
State office in
charge of the
army etc. war-game 1 a
military exercise testing or improving
tactical knowledge etc. 2 a battle etc. conducted
with toy soldiers. war-gaming the playing of war-games. war grave the grave of a serviceman who died on
active service, esp.
one in a
special cemetery etc. war loan
stock issued by the
British Government to
raise funds in wartime. war
memorial a
monument etc. commemorating
those killed in a war. war of
attrition a war in which
each side seeks to wear out the other
over a long period. war of the elements
poet. storms or
natural catastrophes. War Office
hist. the British State department in charge of the army. war of nerves an
attempt to wear down an
opponent by
psychological means. war-plane a military
aircraft. war poet a poet
writing on war themes, esp. of the
two world wars. Wars of the Roses hist. the 15th-c.
civil wars between the houses of
York and Lancaster, represented by
white and
red roses. war-weary (esp. of a population) exhausted and dispirited by war. war
widow a woman
whose husband has been killed in war. war-worn = war-weary. war
zone an
area in which a war takes
place. [ME werre f.
AF, ONF var. of OF guerre:
cf. WORSE]