A state of forcible contention; an armed contest betwcen nations; a state of hostility between two or more nations or states. Gro. de Jur. B. lib. 1, c. 1. Every connection by force between two nations, in external matters, under the authority of their respective governments, is a publlc war. If war ls declared in form, it ls called "solemn," and is of the perfect kind; because the whole nation is at war with another whole nation. When the hostilities are limited as respects places, persons, and things, the war is properly termed "imperfect war." Bas v. Tingy, 4 Dall. 37, 40, 1 L. Ed. 731.
—Articles of war. See Article.
—Civil war. An internecine war. A war carried on between opposing masses of citizens of the same country or nation. Before the declaration of independence, the war between Great Britain and the United Colonies was a civil war; but instantly on that event the war changed its nature, and became a public war between independent governments. Hubbard v. Exp. Co.., io R. I. 244; Brown v. Hiatt, 4 Fed. Cas. 387; Prize Cases, 2 Black, 667, 17 L. Ed. 459; Central R. & B. Co. v. Ward, 37 Ga. 515.
—Laws of war. See Law.
—Mixed war. A mixed war is one which is made on one side by public authority, and on the other by mere private persons. People v. McLeod, 1 Hill (N. Y.) 377, 415, 37 Am. Dec. 328.
—Private war. One between private persons, lawfully exerted by way of defense, but otherwise unknown in civil society. People v. McLeod, 25 Wend. (N. Y.) 576, 37 Am. Dec. 328.-
—Pnblie war. This term includes every contention by force, between two nations, in external matters, under the authority of their respective governments. Prize Cases, 2 Black, 666, 17 L. Ed. 459; People v. McLeod. 25 Wend. (N. Y.) 483, 37 Am. Dec. 328
—Solemn war. A war made in form by public declaration; a war solemnly declared by one state against another.
—War-Office. In England. A department of state from which the sovereign issues orders to his forces. Wharton.