/wɔ:(r); wɔr/
n
1 (a) [U] (state of) fighting between nations or groups within a nation using military force 战争（状态）
*the horrors of war 战争的恐怖
* the outbreak (ie beginning) of war 战争的爆发
* The border incident led to war between the two countries. 这一边境事件导致了两国交战.
* the art (ie tactics and strategy) of war 兵法（战略和战术）
* the fortunes of (ie what may happen in) war 战争中可能发生的事
* The government wanted to avoid war at all costs. 政府拟不惜一切代价避免战争.
* civil war 内战.
(b) [C] instance or period of such fighting 战争（期间）
*during the Second World War 在第二次世界大战期间
* He had fought in two wars. 他参加过两次战争.
* If a war breaks out, many other countries will be affected. 一旦战争爆发, 许多国家都要受到波及.
2 (a) [C, U] competition, conflict or hostility between people, groups, etc 竞争; 冲突; 对抗
*the class war 阶级斗争
* a trade war 贸易战
* There was a state of war between the rivals. 竞争对手间已处于敌对状态.(b) [sing] ~ (against sb/sth) efforts made to eliminate disease, crime, etc （为消灭疾病、犯罪现象等的）斗争
*a major step in the war against cancer 在战胜癌症方面迈出的一大步
* Little progress has been made in the war against drug traffickers. 打击贩毒分子的斗争无甚进展.
3 (idm 习语) at war in a state of war 处于交战状态
*The country has been at war with its neighbour for two years. 这个国家与邻国已打了两年仗了. carry the war into the enemy's camp => carry. declare war => declare. go to war (against sb/sth) start fighting a war (against sb/sth) （向某人[某事物]）开战. have been in the `wars (infml or joc 口或谑) show signs of being injured or badly treated 受过伤; 受过虐待; 吃过苦. make/wage war on sb/sth
(a) fight sb/sth with weapons 用武器与某人[某事物]作战.
(b) try to eliminate sth 努力消灭某事物
*wage war on crime, disease, poverty, etc 与犯罪现象、疾病、贫困等作斗争. a war of `nervesattempt to defeat an opponent by gradually destroying his morale, using threats, psychological pressures, etc 神经战. a war of `words (campaign of) verbal abuse 舌战; 笔战; 论战
*As the election approaches the war of words between the main political parties becomes increasingly intense. 大选在即, 主要政党间的论战愈演愈烈.

v (-rr-) [I] (arch 古) engage in a war or conflict 进行战争; 交战; 作战
*warring tribes 交战的部落.

n
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old North French;Origin: werre, from Old French guerre]
[U and C]
when there is fighting between two or more countries or between opposing groups within a country, involving large numbers of soldiers and weapons
≠ peace
　America's defeat in the Vietnam War
　He served as a pilot during the war.
war against/with/between
　the war with Spain
　They had no chance of winning the war .
　Britain fought two wars in Europe in the last century.
　My grandfather fought in the Second World War .
　In 1920 Poland and Russia were still at war .
　Quite a few women went to war , and quite a few were killed in action.
　Congress has the power to declare war .
　War broke out in September 1939.
　His career was interrupted by the outbreak of war .
　the American Civil War
　He led the nation out of a depression and guided it through a world war .
　Both countries wanted to avoid a nuclear war .
　He had spent the war years in Moscow.
　a wounded war hero
[U and C]
a struggle over a long period of time to control something harmful
war on/against
　the State's war on drugs
　the war against racism
[U and C]
a situation in which a person or group is fighting for power, influence, or control
　No one wants to start a trade war here.
　a ratings war between the major TV networks
→price war
be in the wars
BrE spoken used, often humorously, to say that someone has lots of injuries or health problems
　You've really been in the wars lately, haven't you?
this means war
spoken used humorously to say that you are ready to fight or argue about something
→cold war, war of attrition, war of nerves, war of words, warring

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COLLOCATES for sense 1
win/lose a war
fight a war/wage (a) war (=used about countries or groups)
fight in a war (=used about people)
be at war (with somebody)
go to war (with somebody)
declare war (on somebody)
war breaks outalsothe outbreak of war
civil war (=a war between opposing groups within a country)
world war
nuclear war
the war years

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