Belligerent, a.
Etymology: [L. bellum war + gerens, -entis, waging, p. pr. of gerere to wage: cf. F. belligérant. See Bellicose, Jest.]
1. Waging war; carrying on war. "Belligerent powers." E. Everett.
2. Pertaining, or tending, to war; of or relating to belligerents; as, a belligerent tone; belligerent rights.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Belligerent, n.
A nation or state recognized as carrying on war; a person engaged in warfare.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists belligerent only as an antonym, under friendly.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given