First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1discord
noun dis·cord \ˈdis-ˌkȯrd\
: lack of agreement between people, ideas, etc.
: an unpleasant combination of musical notes
Full Definition of DISCORD
1
a : lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) b : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : strife
2
a (1) : a combination of musical sounds that strikes the ear harshly (2) : dissonance b : a harsh or unpleasant sound
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Origin of DISCORD
Middle English descorde, discord, from Anglo-French descorde, from Latin discordia, from discord-, discors
Related to DISCORD
- Synonyms
- conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare
Synonym Discussion of DISCORD
discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony. discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism <a political party long racked by discord>. strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved <during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife>. conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires <the conflict of freedom and responsibility>. contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy <several points of contention about the new zoning law>. dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions <religious dissension threatened to split the colony>. variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest <cultural variances that work against a national identity>.
Rhymes with DISCORD
aboard, accord, afford, award, backboard, backsword, bargeboard, baseboard, billboard, blackboard, boxboard, breadboard, broadsword, buckboard, cardboard, chalkboard, chessboard, chipboard, clapboard, clipboard, concord, corkboard, dashboard, draft board, duckboard, face cord, fjord, flashboard, floorboard, footboard, freeboard, greensward, hardboard, headboard, inboard, keyboard, kickboard, landlord, lapboard, leeboard, matchboard, moldboard, nerve cord, onboard, on board, outboard, packboard, pasteboard, patchboard, patch cord, Peg-Board, pressboard, punchboard, rearward, record, reward, sailboard, scoreboard, seaboard, shipboard, sideboard, signboard, skateboard, slumlord, smallsword, snowboard, soundboard, splashboard, springboard, surfboard, switchboard, tailboard, tote board, untoward, wakeboard, wallboard, warlord, washboard, whiteboard, whipcord, word-hoard
2discord
verb dis·cord \ˈdis-ˌkȯrd, dis-ˈ\
Definition of DISCORD
intransitive verb
Origin of DISCORD
Middle English, from Anglo-French descorder, from Latin discordare, from discord-, discors discordant, from dis- + cord-, cor heart — more at heart
First Known Use: 14th century
DISCORD Defined for Kids
discord
noun dis·cord \ˈdis-ˌkȯrd\
Definition of DISCORD for Kids
: lack of agreement or harmony : conflict <Money problems caused family discord.>
Word Root of DISCORD
The Latin word cor, meaning “heart,” and its form cordis give us the root cord. Words from the Latin cor have something to do with the heart. When there is discord, or disagreement, hearts are apart. When there is accord, or agreement, hearts have moved together. Anything that is cordial, such as a welcome, comes from the heart.
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