n.a war whose objective is less than the unconditional defeat of the enemy
英汉双解大词典
limited war
1.
N（名词）
a war in which the belligerents do not seek the total destruction of the enemy, esp one in which nuclear weapons are deliberately not used (目标不在彻底击败敌方的)有限战争; 特指有意不使用核武器的那类