ETYM Old Eng. and AS. werre.
1. The waging of armed conflict against an enemy; SYN. warfare.
2. An active struggle between competing entities; SYN. warfare.
3. A concerted campaign to end something that is injurious.
4. A legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply; SYN. state of war.
Act of force, usually on behalf of the state, intended to compel a declared enemy to obey the will of the other. The aim is to render the opponent incapable of further resistance by destroying its capability and will to bear arms in pursuit of its own aims. War is therefore a continuation of politics carried on with violent and destructive means, as an instrument of policy.
In the wars of the late 20th century, 90% of casualties have been civilian (in World War II, the figure was 50%; in World War I only 5%).
ETYM War + Old Eng. fare a journey, a passage, course, AS. faru. Related to Fare.
1. Military service; military life; contest carried on by enemies; hostilities; war.
2. Contest; struggle.