belligerency

belligerency
/beuh lij"euhr euhn see/, n.
1. the position or status as a belligerent; state of being actually engaged in war.
2. belligerence.
[1860-65; BELLIGER(ENT) + -ENCY]

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      the condition of being in fact engaged in war. A nation is deemed a belligerent even when resorting to war in order to withstand or punish an aggressor. A declaration of war is not necessary to create a state of belligerency. For example, the United States and the People's Republic of China were belligerents during the Korean conflict, though both parties avoided characterizing the hostilities as war.

      The 1949 Geneva Convention (Geneva Conventions) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Geneva Convention III) applies not only to declared war but to any armed conflict between parties to the Geneva conventions and to the occupation of the territory of a party even if unresisted. Under Geneva Convention III, lawful belligerents comprise members of the armed forces as well as the members of militias, voluntary corps, and organized resistance groups who are commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates, have a distinctive sign, carry arms openly, and conduct operations lawfully. A nation departing from strict neutrality by giving assistance to one of the contending factions in a war may still be considered a nonbelligerent under certain circumstances. See also Geneva Conventions; neutrality.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • belligerency — bel·lig·er·en·cy /bə li jə rən sē/ n: the state of being at war or in conflict; specif: the status whereby a recognized military force is granted the protection of the international laws of war Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster …   Law dictionary

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  • Belligerency — Belligerence Bel*lig er*ence, Belligerency Bel*lig er*en*cy, n. The quality of being belligerent. [1913 Webster] 2. the act or state of being engaged in war or a warlike conflict; warfare. Syn: hostilities. [WordNet 1.5] 3. an aggressively… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • belligerency — noun Date: 1863 1. the state of being at war or in conflict; specifically the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation 2. belligerence …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • belligerency — noun a) the state of being at war or in an armed conflict b) hostile or aggressive behaviour …   Wiktionary

  • belligerency — (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun 1. A state of open, prolonged fighting: conflict, confrontation, hostility (used in plural), strife, struggle, war, warfare. See CONFLICT. 2. Warlike or hostile attitude or nature: bellicoseness, bellicosity,… …   English dictionary for students

  • belligerency — bel lig·er·en·cy || rÉ™nsɪ n. hostility; aggressiveness, warlike state …   English contemporary dictionary

  • belligerency — bel·lig·er·en·cy …   English syllables

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