kəˈlizhən noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin collision-, collisio, from collisus (past participle of collidere to collide) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the action or an instance of colliding, violent encounter, or forceful striking together typically by accident and so as to harm or impede
a collision between the two ships
the collision of the car with the trolley
2. : a clashing meeting : a coming together of things opposed or diverse : encounter:
a. : a meeting in sharp direct opposition : disagreement
when the English expansion had at length come into collision with the borders of the French forest preserve — Encyc. Americana
b. : an unpleasant discordant juxtaposition of sounds
the collision of difficult consonant clusters in some words
c. : an encounter or impingement marked by activity or consequence ; sometimes : a noteworthy accidental juxtaposition
the fruits that spring from an intercourse and collision with other minds from other mental regions — Van Wyck Brooks
the unexpected collision of incidents — Thomas Hardy
d. : an encounter between particles (as atoms or molecules) resulting in exchange or transformation of energy
Synonyms: see impact