[a. Fr. agression, formerly aggr- (16th c. in Littré); ad. L. aggressiōn-em n. of action f. aggred-i: see AGGRESS v.]
1. An unprovoked attack; the first attack in a quarrel; an assault, an inroad.
1611. Cotgr., Aggression, an aggression, assault, incounter, or first setting on.
1693. J. Owen, Holy Spirit, 227. An extraordinary Aggression was to be made upon the Kingdom of Sathan.
1793. T. Jefferson, Writings (1859), IV. 12. We have borne with their aggressions.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., 31. An unjust aggression upon their ancient liberties.
1830. Lyell, Princ. Geol. (1875), II. III. xliv. The sand drift is making aggressions at certain points.
2. The practice of setting upon any one; the making of an attack or assault.
1669. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccxxxvi. (ed. 3), 214. There may be also, on the Other Hand, a Conspiracy of Common Enmity and Aggression.
1721. Bailey, Aggression, setting upon.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. Pref. 11. The business of government is to check aggression only.
1799. Wellington, in Gen. Desp., I. 17. A war of agression against the Company.
1851. McCulloch, Taxation, III. i. 410. Hostile aggression and insult must be opposed and avenged.
1868. Peard, Water-farming, xv. 158. The stock … will be safe from aggression.
