[con.flict] n [ME, fr. L conflictus act of striking together, fr. confligere to strike together, fr. com- + fligere to strike--more at profligate] (15c) 1: fight, battle, war
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 syn see discord -- con.flict.ful adj -- con.flic.tu.al adj
[2]con.flict vi (15c) 1 archaic: to contend in warfare
2: to show antagonism or irreconcilability -- con.flic.tion n -- con.flic.tive adj