aggressive English · revision 6003

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1716|origins=la aggredior}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈɡres.ɪv/, /æɡˈres.ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|aggress-]], the past participle stem of [[m|la|aggredī|t=to approach; to attempt; to attack]], and the suffix [[-ive]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) or borrowed from New Latin aggressīvus,^(MWU 2024) compare French agressif.^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) Latin aggredī is from ad “to” and gradī “to step”, from gradus “a step”,^(Etymonline) from the PIE root [[ine-pro|*gʰredʰ-|alt=*ghredh-|t=to walk, go]].^(Etymonline) See [[aggression]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Characterized by aggression, making the first attack: 1716 in MWU, 1791 in Etymonline, 1824 in the OED;^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the SOED and NODE date it to the early 19th century.^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Disposed to attack others is from 1840.^(OED 1989) In psychology, first in translations of Freud, it is from 1913.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Self-assertive or pushy, and also energetic and enterprising, is from 1930–31, chiefly American and Canadian at first.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Of diseases and pathogens that spread quickly, it is from 1937,^(OED 1989) and of a substance that attacks another, corrosive, from 1957.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1716 – making the first attack.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1840 – disposed to attack.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1913 – in psychology.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1930 – self-assertive, enterprising.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1937 – of a fast-spreading disease.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Ready or likely to attack or argue; hostile: ''aggressive behaviour''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Forceful and determined, as in business: ''an aggressive sales campaign''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a disease or tumour, spreading quickly.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Of colour or a substance, harsh or corrosive.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[aggressively]]

+ * [[aggressiveness]]

+ * [[aggressivity]]

+ * [[antiaggressive]]

+ * [[overaggressive]]

+ * [[superaggressive]]

+ * [[unaggressive]]

+ * [[passive-aggressive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[aggression]]

+ * [[aggressor]]

+ * [[aggress]]

+ * [[grade]]

+ * [[progress]]

+ * [[digress]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}