pugilistic

From pugilist +‎ -ic, alternatively pugil +‎ -istic.

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pugilistic (comparative more pugilistic, superlative most pugilistic)

1. In the manner of a pugilist.
   • 1898, H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, Penguin Books, published 1962, page 101:

     It was no time for pugilistic chivalry, and my brother laid him quiet with a kick, and gripped the collar of the man who pulled at the slender lady's arm.

   • 2016 February 7, Michael Barbaro, “Once Impervious, Marco Rubio Is Diminished by a Caustic Chris Christie”, in The New York Times‎:

     Mr. Christie, who as a presidential candidate has frequently suppressed his most pugilistic instincts, cast off any restraint and did what he does best: slice and slash.

2. Fighting with the fists.

• pugilistically

Borrowed from French pugilistique.

pugilistic m or n (feminine singular pugilistică, masculine plural pugilistici, feminine and neuter plural pugilistice)

1. pugilistic