— agonistically , adv.
/ag'euh nis"tik/ , adj.
1. combative; striving to overcome in argument.
2. straining for effect: agonistic humor.
3. of or pertaining to ancient Greek athletic contests.
4. Ethology. pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.
Also, agonistical .
[ 1640-50; agonistikós, equiv. to agonist ( és ) AGONIST + -ikos -IC ]