Agression

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A hostile action or behavior directed towards others, often involving physical force or confrontation
2. A display of readiness to attack or confront, marked by a threatening demeanor or intent to cause harm
3. A form of assertive behavior characterized by the initiation of conflict or hostility, whether verbally or physically

Etymology: The word in question is actually a misspelling of "aggression," and the correct form traces back to Latin "aggredi," meaning "to approach" or "to attack." That verb combined "ad-" ("to, toward") with "gradi" ("to step" or "to walk"), so at its root the idea is simply stepping toward something. The sense of hostility came later, growing out of the notion of walking up to someone with intent. From "aggredi" came the past participle "aggressus," and from that the noun "aggressio," which passed into Middle French as "aggression" before reaching English. Its ancestry runs through the ordinary business of moving toward a place or a person, and the modern meaning of a hostile first move developed on top of that physical image.

Synonyms: aggression, hostility, belligerence, assault, attack

Antonyms: peacefulness, calm, friendliness, kindness, gentleness