pugnacious
AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Adjective (2)
- tough and callous by virtue of experienceSynonyms: hard-bittenhard-boiled
- ready and able to resort to force or violence“pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance — Herman Melville”“they were rough and determined fighting men”Synonyms: rough
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Pugnacious \Pug*na"cious\, a. [L. pugnax, -acis, fr. pugnare to fight. Cf. Pugilism, Fist.] Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n. [1913 Webster]