I. ˈklash, -aa(ə)sh, -aish verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: imitative
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a jarring resounding metallic noise by or as if by striking or ringing
the bells of St. Paul's clashed out — Rose Macaulay
gears clashed loudly as the truck moved on
b. : to meet and hit together violently usually with a metallic noise
the swords clashed together
the empty oil drums clashed as the truck sped along
2. : to meet in opposition, controversy, or variance : conflict:
a. : to fight or engage in conflict especially in sharp skirmish or rough brawl — often used with with
the settlers often clashed with the Indians
b. : to compete sharply : be completely and sharply in disagreement, incompatibility, discord, or inconsistency
American and British interests clashed in the fur-producing areas
colors that clash badly
political expediency and the law of morality frequently clash — V.L.Parrington
3. chiefly Scotland : gossip
transitive verb
1. : to strike together : hit, thrust, dash, or hurl against sharply and forcefully typically with a loud ringing noise
dark and passionate shapes … clash their weapons — Norman Douglas
when two males [wildebeest] are engaged in single combat, they rush together, clashing their horns — James Stevenson-Hamilton
2. now dialect Britain : dash , slam
Synonyms: see bump
II. noun
( -es )
1. : a loud harsh especially metallic jangling sound or series of sounds produced especially by striking or grinding together : a noisy collision
the clash of swords
a clash of cymbals
the clash of gears
2.
a. : a meeting in conflict or opposition : a sharp affray : brawl , skirmish
the clashes of minutemen and British at Lexington and Concord
b. : a situation sharply marked by disagreement, incompatibility, discord, rivalry, or opposition : a sharp usually jarring or unpleasant contrast
the tragedy of politics is not the clash of right and wrong but the clash of one right with another — H.J.Laski
buildings marked by a clash of architectural styles
3. dialect Britain : a quantity or mass especially of mud or water
4. dialect : news , gossip , scandal — often used in plural
Synonyms: see impact