brass-knuckled

adjective

brass-knuck·​led
: inclined to or exhibiting aggression, hostility, or combativeness
Arnault's willingness to wage the sort of highly publicized, brass-knuckled takeover battle formerly anathema to European executives has a lot to do with the U.S. market.—Dana Thomas, et al., Newsweek, 5 Apr. 1999

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brass-knuckled was in 1905

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Dictionary Entries Near brass-knuckled

brass instrument

brass-knuckled

brass knuckles

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Brass-knuckled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brass-knuckled. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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