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discord

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅cord

  [n. dis-kawrd; v. dis-kawrd]
Use discord in a Sentence
–noun
1. lack of concord or harmony between persons or things: marital discord.
2. disagreement; difference of opinion.
3. strife; dispute; war.
4. Music. an inharmonious combination of musical tones sounded together.
5. any confused or harsh noise; dissonance.
–verb (used without object)
6. to disagree; be at variance.
Origin:
1200–50; (n.) ME descorde, discorde < AF; OF descort (deriv. of descorder), descorde < L discordia, deriv. of discord- (s. of discors) discordant (dis- dis- 1 + cord-, s. of cors heart); (v.) ME discorden < AF, OF descorder < L discordāre deriv. of discord-, as above

Synonyms:
1–3. conflict, struggle, controversy, antagonism, argument, contention, quarreling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To discord
dis·cord   (dĭs'kôrd')   
n.  

    1. Lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things.

    2. Tension or strife resulting from a lack of agreement; dissension.

  2. A confused or harsh sound or mingling of sounds.

  3. Music An inharmonious combination of simultaneously sounded tones; a dissonance.

intr.v.   (dĭ-skôrd', dĭs'kôrd') dis·cord·ed, dis·cord·ing, dis·cords
To fail to agree or harmonize; clash.

[Middle English, from Old French descorde, from Latin discordia, from discors, discord-, disagreeing : dis-, apart; see dis- + cor, cord-, heart; see kerd- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: These nouns refer to a state of disagreement and disharmony. Discord is a lack of harmony often marked by bickering and antipathy: family discord.
Strife usually implies a struggle, often destructive, between rivals or factions: political strife.
Contention suggests a dispute in the form of heated debate or quarreling: lively contention among the candidates.
Dissension implies difference of opinion that disrupts unity within a group: rampant dissension among the staff.
Conflict suggests antagonism of ideas or interests that often results in hostility or divisiveness: conflict between smoking and nonsmoking factions.
Clash involves irreconcilable ideas or interests: a personality clash.
Variance usually suggests discrepancy or incompatibility: actions at variance with his principles.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

discord 
c.1230, from O.Fr. descorde "disagreement," from L. discordia, from discors (gen. discordis) "disagreeing, disagreement," from dis- "apart" + cor (gen. cordis) "heart" (see heart).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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