combatant

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

combatant
    adj 1: engaging in or ready for combat
    n 1: someone who fights (or is fighting) [syn: {combatant},
         {battler}, {belligerent}, {fighter}, {scrapper}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Combatant \Com"bat*ant\, a. [F. combattant, p. pr.]
   Contending; disposed to contend. --B. Jonson.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Combatant \Com"bat*ant\, n. [F. combattant.]
   One who engages in combat. IN military use, opposed to
   {noncombatant}. "The mighty combatants." --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         A controversy which long survived the original
         combatants.                              --Macaulay
   [1913 Webster]

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