agonistic

views updated May 23 2018

ag·o·nis·tic / ˌagəˈnistik/ • adj. combative; polemical. ∎ Zool. (of animal behavior) associated with conflict. ∎  Biochem. of, relating to, or acting as an agonist.DERIVATIVES: ag·o·nis·ti·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

agonistic

views updated May 29 2018

agonistic Applied to behaviour between two rival individuals of the same species that may involve aggression, threat, appeasement, or avoidance, or that may be ritualized (e.g. as birdsong (see song), or as certain forms of display). Agonistic behaviour often arises from a conflict between aggression and fear.

agonistic

views updated May 23 2018

agonistic Applied to behaviour between two rival individuals of the same species that may involve aggression, threat, appeasement, or avoidance, or that may be ritualized (e.g. as bird song, or as certain forms of display). Agonistic behaviour often arises from a conflict between aggression and fear.

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