clash

Etymology

Onomatopoeic origin. Compare Saterland Frisian klatskje (“to smack, slap”), West Frisian kletse, kletskje, Dutch kletsen (“to smack, slap, clash”), German Low German klattsen, klatsken (“to smack, splash”), German klatschen (“to clap, smack, slap”) and Klatsch (“a clapping sound; the din resulting from two or more things colliding”), Danish klaske (“to clash, splatter”).

noun

1. (onomatopoeia) A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects.
   I heard a clash from the kitchen, and rushed in to find the cat had knocked over some pots and pans.
2. A skirmish, a hostile encounter.
   In Anatolia tensions between state officials (ehl-i örf) and the peasants were strained to breaking point. At several places—particularly in the frontier provinces—there were fierce clashes between the janissaries stationed there and the governors. In Aleppo and Damascus incidents were common after 1589: the kuls threw rocks at the beylerbeyi’s house, killed people, broke into the divan several times and took the money prepared by the council for remittance to the centre. 2018, Pál Fodor, The Business of State. Ottoman Finance Administration and Ruling Elites in Transition (1580s–1615) (Studien zur Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur der Turkvölker; 28), Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag × De Gruyter, published 2020, →DOI, page 50
3. (sports) match; a game between two sides.
   But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales. 2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France
4. An angry argument
5. Opposition; contradiction; such as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes etc.
   clash of beliefs
   culture clash
6. A combination of garments that do not look good together, especially because of conflicting colours.
   She was wearing a horrible clash of red and orange.
7. (hurling) An instance of restarting the game after a "dead ball", where it is dropped between two opposing players, who can fight for possession.
8. (Scotland) Chatter; gossip; idle talk.

verb

1. (intransitive) To make a clashing sound.
   The cymbals clashed.
2. (transitive) To cause to make a clashing sound.
   Thorfinn clashed his shield against Vallon's and swung his axe to hook Vallon's ankle. 2012, Robert Lyndon, Hawk Quest
3. (intransitive) To come into violent conflict.
   Fans from opposing teams clashed on the streets after the game.
4. (intransitive) To argue angrily.
   My parents often clashed about minor things, such as the cleaning or shopping rota.
5. (intransitive, in games or sports) To face each other in an important game.
   The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas. June 27, 2008, “Jones confirms Calzaghe showdown”, in BBC Sport
6. (intransitive, of clothes, decor, colours) To fail to look good together; to contrast unattractively; to fail to harmonize.
   You can't wear that shirt! It clashes with your trousers.
   The hotel room was ugly, and the wallpaper clashed with the carpet.
7. (intransitive, of events) To coincide, to happen at the same time, thereby rendering it impossible to attend all.
   I can't come to your wedding because it clashes with a friend's funeral.
   I wanted to take German, but it clashed with art on the timetable.
8. (intransitive, Scotland) To chatter or gossip.