war
war
UK[wɔː]US[wɔːr]
n
A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.
n
A sustained effort to deal with or end a particular unpleasant situation or condition.
Etymology
The word 'war' entered modern English from the Old North French 'werre,' around the late 11th century. This Old North French term itself evolved from the Frankish werra, meaning "confusion, quarrel," which is of Proto-Germanic origin (werzō-, meaning "a mix-up, confusion"). The related Old English word for conflict was 'wyrre,' but it was largely displaced by the Norman-influenced 'war.' The semantic journey is from a general state of strife and confusion to the specific, organized state of armed conflict. This shift illustrates how a broad concept of discord was refined into a formal legal and social condition.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a single, unanalyzable root in modern English.
Examples
The two nations have been at war for over a decade.
The government declared a war on poverty.
He fought in the war and received several medals for bravery.