ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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adjective

aggressive

Ready to attack, confront, or pursue a goal forcefully.

The aggressive dog lunges at anyone who approaches the gate.

Etymology

agLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+gressLatinstep or walk

+iveEnglishhaving a quality or tendency

Latin ad- and gradi express stepping toward something. Approaching an opponent can become attacking, connecting forward movement with the readiness to confront or pursue a goal forcefully.

More examples

The company adopted an aggressive plan to win new customers.
Her aggressive questioning made the witness uncomfortable.
The team played an aggressive game from the opening whistle.

Forms

aggression noun — Forceful or hostile behavior toward others.

aggressively adverb — In a forceful, confrontational, or attacking way.

Similar words

assertive: Suggests confident self-expression without necessarily threatening or attacking others.
hostile: Emphasizes antagonism rather than energetic pursuit of a goal.