hos|tile

hos|tile «HOS tuhl; sometimes HOS tyl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of or having to do with an enemy or enemies: »

the hostile army, hostile ground or positions. The hooked chariot stood Unstain'd with hostile blood (Milton).

2. Figurative. like an enemy; opposed; unfriendly; unfavorable: »

a hostile look, a hostile reception.

3. carried on by an enemy: »

hostile operations.

–n.

1. a hostile person; enemy.

2. U.S. History. a North American Indian unfriendly to the whites.

╂[< Latin hostīlis < hostis enemy]

–hos´tile|ly, adverb.

Synonym Study adjective. 2 Hostile, unfriendly, inimical mean not friendly or favorable. Hostile suggests whatever is characteristic of an enemy: »

Their hostile looks showed that he was unwelcome.

Unfriendly suggests not being agreeable, kindly, helpful, or encouraging in any way: »

A cold, damp climate is unfriendly to people who suffer from arthritis.

Inimical, a formal word, particularly suggests the harmful effects resulting from a hostile disposition: »

Censorship is inimical to freedom of the press.