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aggression

 - 5 dictionary results

ag⋅gres⋅sion

[uh-gresh-uhn]
–noun
1. the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state, particularly its territorial rights; an unprovoked offensive, attack, invasion, or the like: The army is prepared to stop any foreign aggression.
2. any offensive action, attack, or procedure; an inroad or encroachment: an aggression upon one's rights.
3. the practice of making assaults or attacks; offensive action in general.
4. Psychiatry. overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.

Origin:
1605–15; < L aggressiōn- (s. of aggressiō), equiv. to aggress(us) (see aggress ) + -iōn- -ion


1. peacefulness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ag·gres·sion   (ə-grěsh'ən)   
n.  
  1. The act of initiating hostilities or invasion.

  2. The practice or habit of launching attacks.

  3. Hostile or destructive behavior or actions.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

aggression 
1611, "unprovoked attack," from verb aggress "to approach, to start an argument" (c.1575), from Fr. aggresser, from L.L. aggressare, freq. of L. aggredi (pp. aggressus) "to approach, attack," from ad- "to" + gradi (pp. gressus) "to step," from gradus "a step" (see grade). Psychological sense of "hostile or destructive behavior" first recorded 1912 in A.A. Brill's transl. of Freud. Aggressive first recorded 1824.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ag·gres·sion
Pronunciation: &-'gresh-&n
Function: noun
: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especiallywhen caused by frustration
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

aggression ag·gres·sion (ə-grěsh'ən)
n.
Hostile or destructive behavior or actions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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