a. [f. L. aggress- ppl. stem of aggred-i (see AGGRESS v.) + -IVE. Cf. mod. Fr. agressif, -ive.]

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  1.  Of or pertaining to aggression; of attack; offensive.

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  [Not in Todd 1818, Richardson 1836–55. In Craig, 1847.]

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1824.  Syd. Smith, Wks., 1869, 468. Jealous of the aggressive pleasantry of more favoured people.

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1837.  Palmerston, Opin. & Pol. (1852), 362. The only Country in which financial difficulties constitute an obstacle to aggressive warfare.

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1876.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. ii. 36. An aggressive war, as distinguished from mere plundering inroads.

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  absol., quasi-sb. The aggressive (sc. course).

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1845.  Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. ii. 311. Soult … at once assumed the aggressive.

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  2.  Tending or disposed to attack others.

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1840.  Milman, Hist. Chr. (1875), II. 208. To follow any rigorous impulse from a determined and incessantly aggressive few.

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1868.  Peard, Water-farming, xvi. 163. Pike, and perch, the most quarrelsome, and aggressive fish.

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1869.  Seeley, Lect. & Ess. (1870), ii. 43. It included warlike and aggressive nations now lost to it, such as the Gauls.

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