the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. The quality of being combative; propensity to contend or to quarrel.
n. A cranial development supposed to indicate a combative disposition.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. The character or quality of being combative; disposition to contend or fight; pugnacity. By phrenologists the word is used to designate one of the propensities. See cut under phrenology.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a militant aggressiveness
Word Usage
"By taking away what the phrenologists call combativeness, we could doubtless stop prize-fight, but we might have a springless society."