clash English · revision 10754

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1500}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /klæʃ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably of imitative origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) or a blend of [[clap]] and [[crash]];^(Etymonline) compare Dutch kletsen, splash, and German klatschen.^(Etymonline) Barnhart notes an echoic element in many English words ending in -ash, such as [[bash]] and [[smash]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To make a loud, sharp sound, verb: about 1500;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the noun, the loud sound of collision, 1513.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noise of clashing weapons is from 1623.^(OED 1989) The figurative verb, to come into conflict, is first recorded in 1622, in Bacon,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and the noun, a hostile encounter, in 1646.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A conflict of opinions is from 1781, in Cowper.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Of colours that go badly together, the verb is by 1867^(Etymonline) and the noun from 1935.^(OED 1989) Of events that fall at the same time, clash is a later use.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1500 – to make a loud noise.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1513 – a clash (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1622 – to come into conflict.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1646 – a hostile encounter.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1781 – a conflict of opinions.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1867 – of colours.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A loud, harsh, usually metallic noise.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A fight or hostile encounter.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[conflict]] of ideas, opinions or interests.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To strike together with a loud, harsh noise.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To come into conflict; to be at odds.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of colours, to look bad together.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of events, to happen at the same time.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clasher]]

+ * [[clashingly]]

+ * [[interclash]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clap]]

+ * [[crash]]

+ * [[bash]]

+ * [[smash]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}