clash
pronunciation
How to pronounce clash in British English:
UK [klæʃ]
How to pronounce clash in American English:
US [klæʃ]
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- Noun:
- a loud resonant repeating noise
- a state of conflict between persons
- a state of conflict between colors
- a minor short-term fight
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- Verb:
- crash together with violent impact
- be incompatible; be or come into conflict
- disagree violently
Word Origin
- clash (v.)
- c. 1500, "to make a loud, sharp sound," of imitative origin, or a blend of clap and crash. Compare Dutch kletsen "splash, clash," German klatschen, Danish klaske "clash, knock about." Figurative sense, in reference to non-physical strife or battle, is first attested 1620s. Of things, "to come into collision," from 1650s; of colors, "to go badly together," first recorded 1894. Related: Clashed; clashing.
- clash (n.)
- 1510s, "sharp, loud noise of collision," from clash (v.). Especially of the noise of conflicting metal weapons. Meaning "hostile encounter" is from 1640s; meaning "conflict of opinions, etc." is from 1781.
Example
- 1. Chinese police opened fire in at least one clash .
- 2. Above , demonstrators clash with police in central cairo .
- 3. They heard the clash of swords .
- 4. It is inevitable that at times the legal principles of two countries will clash .
- 5. The clash with mr berlusconi came as 27 european union leaders negotiated the three pillars of a package aimed at stemming the crisis .