warpath

[wawr-path, -pahth] /ˈwɔrˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ/
noun, plural warpaths
[wawr-path z, -pahth z, -paths, -pahths] /ˈwɔrˌpæðz, -ˌpɑðz, -ˌpæθs, -ˌpɑθs/ (Show IPA)
1.
the path or course taken by American Indians on a warlike expedition.
Idioms
2.
on the warpath,
  1. seeking, preparing for, or engaged in war or aggressive pursuit.
  2. in a state of anger or indignation; hostile.
Origin
1745-55, Americanism; war1 + path
British Dictionary definitions for on the warpath

warpath

/ˈwɔːˌpɑːθ/
noun
1.
the route taken by North American Indians on a warlike expedition
2.
on the warpath
  1. preparing to engage in battle
  2. (informal) in a state of anger
Word Origin and History for on the warpath

warpath

n.

1775, in reference to North American Indians, from war (n.) + path (n.).

on the warpath in Culture

on the warpath definition


From a Native American expression for war, to be “on the warpath” is to be exceedingly angry and to be inclined to take some hostile action: “Watch out! John is on the warpath today.”

Slang definitions & phrases for on the warpath

on the warpath

adjective phrase

Truculent; looking for a fight •The original Native American sense is found by 1841 (1880+)


Idioms and Phrases with on the warpath

on the warpath

Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means “a path used by a war party.” Go on the war path thus meant “go to battle.” It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.

warpath

see: on the warpath