bel·li·cose (b?l??-k?s?)adj. Warlike or hostile in manner or temperament. See Synonyms at belligerent.[Middle English, from Latin bellic?sus, from bellicus, of war, from bellum, war.]bel?li·cose?ly adv.bel?li·cos?i·ty (-k?s??-t?), bel?li·cose?ness n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.bellicositya warlike or hostile attitude. ? bellicose, adj.See also: Attitudes-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.