agon

[ag-ohn, -on, ah-gohn]

noun

plural

agones 

1. (in ancient Greece) a contest in which prizes were awarded in any of a number of events, as athletics, drama, music, poetry, and painting.

2. (italics),  (in ancient Greek drama) a formalized debate or argumentation, especially in comedy: usually following the proagon and preceding the parabasis.

3. Literature.,  conflict, especially between the protagonist and the antagonist.

agon

/ ˈæɡəʊn, -ɡɒn /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a festival at which competitors contended for prizes. Among the best known were the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian Games

Word History and Origins

Origin of agon¹

First recorded in 1650–60, agon is from the Greek word agṓn struggle, contest

Word History and Origins

Origin of agon¹

C17: Greek: contest, from agein to lead