n.
Pronunciation: ' kän- ˌ flikt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin conflictus act of striking together, from confligere to strike together, from com- + fligere to strike ― more at PROFLIGATE
Date: 15th century
1 : FIGHT , BATTLE , WAR <an armed conflict >
2 a : competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons) b : mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands
3 : the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction
synonyms see DISCORD
– con · flict · ful \ ' kän- ˌ flikt-f ə l \ adjective
– con · flic · tu · al \ kän- ' flik-ch ə -w ə l, k ə n-, -ch ə l, -shw ə l, -chü- ə l \ adjective