Carried out or conducted something, especially a war, campaign, or struggle against someone or something.
From Old French 'wagier' meaning 'to pledge or stake.' Originally meant to offer a guarantee or pledge, which evolved to mean conducting a sustained effort like war.
When countries 'wage war,' they're literally 'staking' everything on that effort—it's why the word evolved from 'pledge' to 'conduct.' You can wage war, wage peace, or even wage a campaign against poverty.
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