Meanings of commence hostilities in English

Bernadotte consented to commence hostilities against the English; he was without resources, and without defences.

I could have picked off some of the warriors, but was unwilling to commence hostilities.

Notwithstanding the aversion of the English prime minister, Pitt, to commence hostilities, war was unavoidable.

With whom did he commence hostilities?

At length, as neither side seemed inclined to commence hostilities, both parties broke their ranks, and intermingled as friends.

Did Pyrrhus immediately commence hostilities?

How did he commence hostilities?

An unforeseen act of treachery obliged the Lydians to hasten their preparations and commence hostilities before the moment agreed on.

The French minister was less anxious to commence hostilities with the Emperor, which promised fewer advantages, and threatened greater difficulties.

He must have felt sure that my father would not commence hostilities, or he would have kept at a distance.

But when they do commence hostilities, they fight with great bitterness, as do most Americans, biting, gouging, and cutting unrelentingly.

He was also unwilling to commence hostilities, and considered it wise to throw the responsibility of so doing on the Zulus.

The little preparations for war, which we see, are the effect of distrust, rather than of a design to commence hostilities.

And as he spoke, he drew from his belt a six inch revolver, and coolly waited for Herrets to commence hostilities.

In Georgia, where a desire to commence hostilities against the southern Indians had been unequivocally manifested, this restraint increased the irritation against the administration.

The Protestants dared not commence hostilities until assured that William was firmly seated on the English throne, and ready to come to their assistance.