conflict English · revision 4063

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=la confligere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: noun: UK /ˈkɒn.flɪkt/, US /ˈkɑːn.flɪkt/; verb: /kənˈflɪkt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is [[inh|enm|conflict]],^(AHD 2000)^(MW Collegiate) from Old French conflit and directly [[bor|la|cōnflīctus|t=a striking together]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) in Late Latin “a fight, conflict”,^(Etymonline) from the past participle of [[m|la|cōnflīgere|t=to strike together, clash, fight]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from con- “together” and [[m|la|flīgere|t=to strike]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) Barnhart compares Greek phlíbein “to press, squeeze”.^(Barnhart 1988) The verb, Middle English conflicten, is from the same Latin past participle.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[afflict]], [[inflict]] and [[profligate]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “An armed encounter, a battle”: the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) probably before 1425 in Barnhart, in a translation of Higden's Polychronicon,^(Barnhart 1988) and about 1440 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The verb, “to contend, fight”, is from the same time.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A struggle or quarrel is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and in the 15th century it was also an inner mental or spiritual struggle, as against temptation.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, of interests or opinions, “to be in opposition, at variance”, is from the 1640s, 1647 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Conflict of interest'' was in use by 1743.^(Etymonline) The psychological sense, incompatible urges in one person, is from 1859,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) hence ''conflicted''.^(Etymonline) “The clashing of opposed principles” is from 1875.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – a battle; verb, to fight.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – a quarrel; an inner struggle.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – verb, to be at variance.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1743 – ''conflict of interest''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1859 – in psychology.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1875 – a clash of principles.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A state of open, often prolonged fighting; a [[battle]] or [[war]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A clash between incompatible people, ideas or interests.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In psychology, a struggle within a person between opposing needs or drives.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To be or come into opposition; to differ: ''the accounts conflict''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To fight.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[confliction]]

+ * [[conflictive]]

+ * [[conflictful]]

+ * [[conflictual]]

+ * [[preconflict]]

+ * [[conflicted]]

+ * [[conflict of interest]]

+ * [[role conflict]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[afflict]]

+ * [[inflict]]

+ * [[profligate]]

+ * [[conflicting]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage distinguishes conflict, both open fighting between groups and a struggle within one person, from contest, combat, fight, affray and discord.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}