I. ˈkänˌflikt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin conflictus act of striking together, from conflictus, past participle of confligere to strike together, fight, from com- + fligere to strike — more at profligate
1.
a. : clash, competition, or mutual interference of opposing or incompatible forces or qualities (as ideas, interests, wills) : antagonism
the convulsions of a soul storm-driven amid unreconcilable spiritual conflicts — H.O.Taylor
b. : an emotional state characterized by indecision, restlessness, uncertainty, and tension resulting from incompatible inner needs or drives of comparable intensity
2.
a. : an engagement between men under arms : struggle , contest , fight
b. : prolonged fighting especially with weapons : warfare , strife
c. : the opposition of persons or forces upon which the dramatic action depends in drama or fiction
d. : conflict of laws
3. : a striking or clashing together of material bodies or substances (as air currents, parts of a mechanism) : collision
Synonyms: see contest , discord
II. kənˈflikt, ˈkänˌf- intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English conflicten, from Latin conflictus, past participle of confligere to fight
1. : to contend with or against another in strife or warfare
France conflicted with England
the conflicting nations of Greece and Turkey
2. : to show variance, incompatibility, irreconcilability, or opposition : evidence variance or disharmony calling for adjustment, harmonizing, bringing into accord
the two versions of the story conflict
nor does the French revolutionary spirit conflict with what we ordinarily mean by respect for law — W.C.Brownell
Synonyms: see bump , contest