(adj) ready and able to resort to force or violence; - Herman Melville, Syn. rough, Example:pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance; they were rough and determined fighting men
a. [ L. pugnax, -acis, fr. pugnare to fight. Cf. Pugilism, Fist. ] Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting. --Pug*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Pug*na"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]