The Collaborative International Dictionary
Agonistic \Ag`o*nis"tic\, Agonistical \Ag`o*nis"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?. See Agonism.] Pertaining to violent contests, bodily or mental; pertaining to athletic or polemic feats; athletic; combative; hence, strained; unnatural.
As a scholar, he [Dr. Parr] was brilliant, but he
consumed his power in agonistic displays.
--De Quincey.
Wiktionary
a. 1 Of or relating to contests that were originally participated in by the Ancient Greeks; athletic. 2 (context zoology anthropology English) Characterised by conflict or hostility. 3 (context rhetoric English) argumentative, combative. 4 (context pharmacology English) Pertaining to an agonist.
WordNet
adj. of or relating to the athletic contests held in ancient Greece
striving to overcome in argument; "a dialectical and agonistic approach" [syn: agonistical, combative]
struggling for effect; "agonistic poses" [syn: strained]
Usage examples of "agonistic".
The agonistic throes, the ecstasies, joys of the solemn musings day or night.