I. ˈwȯr noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English werre, from Anglo-French werre, guerre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werra strife; akin to Old High German werran to confuse
Date: 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations
(2) : a period of such armed conflict
(3) : state of war
b. : the art or science of warfare
c.
(1) obsolete : weapons and equipment for war
(2) archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2.
a. : a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b. : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
a class war
a war against disease
c. : variance , odds 3
• war·less -ləs adjective
II. intransitive verb
( warred ; war·ring )
Date: 13th century
1. : to be in active or vigorous conflict
2. : to engage in warfare
III. ˈwär adverb or adjective
Etymology: Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse
Date: 13th century
chiefly Scottish : worse
IV. ˈwär transitive verb
( warred ; war·ring )
Date: 15th century
Scottish : worst , overcome