DISSONANCE


Meaning of DISSONANCE in English

I. ˈdisənən(t)s noun

also dis·so·nan·cy -sənənsē, -si

( plural dissonances also dissonancies )

Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin dissonantia, from Latin dissonant-, dissonans + -ia -y

1. : a mingling of discordant sounds : discord

the dissonance of the two bands playing different pieces too close to each other

specifically : a harsh or clashing musical interval or combination of notes

varying the flow of harmonious progressions with occasional jarring dissonance

— compare consonance

2.

a. : lack of agreement : incongruity , discrepancy

b. : dissidence , contention , strife

frustrations of the preceding hours, and … the occasional dissonances that those could but produce between him and her — Elizabeth Bowen

c. : an instance or example of such incongruity or such dissidence

the mingling of bitter comedy and stark tragedy produces sharp dissonances — F.B.Millett

3. : an unresolved musical note or chord ; specifically : an interval not included in a major or minor triad or its inversions — compare consonance 2b

II. noun

: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs — see cognitive dissonance herein

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.