D defs.my
Entry 3 senses Webster, 1913

Belligerence

/bəl-ĭj'-ẽr-əns/ · Bel·lig·er·ence · IPA /bəlˈɪdʒərəns/
01 n. The quality of being belligerent.
  1. 1.
    The quality of being belligerent.
  2. 2.
    the act or state of being engaged in war or a warlike conflict; warfare.
  3. 3.
    an aggressively hostile or warlike attitude or nature; a readiness to fight or offend, with little or no provocation.
Syn. hostilities.