əˈgreshən also aˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French & Latin; French agression, from Latin aggression-, aggressio, from aggressus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : an offensive action or procedure ; especially : a culpable unprovoked overt hostile attack
we have borne with their aggressions — Thomas Jefferson
b. : the practice of making attacks or encroachments : offensive tactics
a war of aggression
2. : the action of a nation in violating the rights, especially the territorial rights, of another nation (as by unprovoked attack, invasion, or other unfriendly military action or sometimes by serious threat of or preparation for such action)
that country was said to be guilty of aggression
3. : a form of psychobiologic energy, either innate or arising in response to or intensified by frustration, which may be manifested by (1) overt destruction, fighting, infliction of pain, sexual attack, or forcible seizure, (2) covert hostile attitudes, covetousness, or greed, (3) introjection into one's self (as self-hate or masochism), (4) sublimation into play or sports, or (5) healthy self-assertiveness or a drive to accomplishment or to mastery especially of skills