Combatant

a. 1. Contending; disposed to contend. B. Jonson. 2. (Her.) Fighting, or in the position of fighting; — said of two beasts borne in a coat of arms, with their faces to each other.

n. [Fr. combattant, p. pr. of combattre.] One who engages in combat; a fighter; a champion. “A controversy which long survived the original combatants.” Macaulay.

Men become combatants for . . . opinions. Locke.