agonistic
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀγωνιστικός (agōnistikós).
Pronunciation
Adjective
agonistic (comparative more agonistic, superlative most agonistic)
- Of or relating to contests that were originally participated in by the Ancient Greeks; athletic.[1]
- 1673, Theophilus Gale, A Discourse of Christ’s Coming, London: John Hancock Senior and Junior, Chapter 2, Section 4, p. 70:
- These words, with what follow, are for the most part agonistic, referring to the customes of the Grecian exercices, in their games. The words [translated] apprehended, signifie to catch, or apprehend the Crown, that hung over the Goal: so also [the word translated] perfect, is an Agonistic word that signifies the being crowned, or receiving the reward:
- 1881, Walt Whitman, “A Song of Joys”, in Leaves of Grass, London: David Bogue, page 147:
- Joys of the solitary walk, the spirit bow’d yet proud, the suffering and the struggle?
The agonistic throes, the ecstasies, joys of the solemn musings day or night?
- (zoology, anthropology) Characterised by conflict or hostility.
- 1978, Donald Symons, “The Question of Function: Dominance and Play”, in Euclid O. Smith, editor, Social Play in Primates, New York: Academic Press, page 207:
- Although most agonistic interactions consist of signals of threat and submission, symbolic aggression is effective only because the possibility of escalation exists […]
- 2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books, published 2007, page 66:
- This was clearly such an event, but like the ancient religion of Israel, it was also deeply agonistic.
- 2014, Lucas Bessire, Behold the Black Caiman: A Chronicle of Ayoreo Life, The University of Chicago Press, Introduction, p. 8:
- Sociality swung wildly between extremes of collective affiliation and agonistic striving for dominance.
- (rhetoric) Argumentative; combative.
- 1992, Kim Stanley Robinson, Red Mars, New York: Bantam, published 1993, Part 1, p. 15:
- Sharply Frank said, “A place like this is a crimp in your plan, isn’t it?”
Boone’s gaze returned to him. The surrounding crowd slipped away, sensing the agonistic nature of the exchange.
- Struggling to achieve an effect; strained and contrived.
- (pharmacology, biochemistry) Pertaining to an agonist.
Derived terms
- agonistically
- agonistic buffer
- agonistic monoclonal antibody
- agonistic muscle
- agonistic pluralism
- agonistic threat display
- nonagonistic
- superagonistic
Translations
relating to agons
|
characterised by conflict or hostility
|
rhetoric
strained, contrived
biochemistry
|
See also
References
- Thomas Blount, Glossographia, London: George Sawbridge, 1661: Agonistic(al): “warlike or skilful in exercises.”
Anagrams
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