at war

1. Currently engaged in armed combat, as between nations. The two countries have been at war for nearly 40 years, with many lives lost on both sides.

2. Currently engaged in a heated or bitter disagreement between two parties. I've been at war with my neighbor over where our lawns end since I moved in.

3. Engaged in an inner conflict, that is, a conflict within one's mind or conscience. I've been at war with myself over what to do with money I found. Do I keep it, or do I turn it in to the police?

at war

Engaged in armed conflict; also, in a state of disagreement. This term may be used literally, usually of nations or smaller groups engaged in armed hostilities, as well as hyperbolically, describing a mild disagreement as "war," and figuratively, for an inner conflict. For example, The Greeks and Turks have been at war for many years (literally); The two families were at war about the bill for the wedding reception (hyperbolic); and, as Shakespeare put it in Measure for Measure (2:2): "I am at war 'twixt will and will not" (inner conflict of indecision). [Late 1300s]

at war

In an active state of conflict or contention.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
PatrÍCio	pə-TREE-syoo	Portuguese
Milada	-	Czech
Lucille	loo-SEEL	French, English
Ala Al-Din	-	Arabic
Paulina	pow-LEE-nah (Spanish, Polish), paw-LEEN-ə (English)	Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Swedish, Lithuanian, English, Ancient Roman
Mccord	[mə'kɔ:d]