agon

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

/ ˈæg oʊn, -ɒn, ɑˈgoʊn /

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noun, plural a·go·nes

[uh-goh-neez]. /əˈgoʊ niz/.

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

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

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

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Origin of agon

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

Words nearby agon

agogic, agogics, à gogo, -agogue, agomphosis, agon, agonadal, agonal, agone, gone coon, a, a goner

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use agon in a sentence

Furthermore, this agon happens between the poems or plays or novels themselves, and not between the writers.
Compliments Are Nice, but Enough With the Cormac McCarthy Comparisons|William Giraldi|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Greek word agon is the root of our words “antagonist” and “agony.”
The Olympics Wimps Out on Wrestling and Competition|James Romm|February 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Agon is still the ordinary Russian word for fire, the equivalent of the Latin ignis.
Russian Fairy Tales|W. R. S. Ralston
Agon saw this and hesitated, and then for the first time Nyleptha spoke in her soft sweet voice.
Allan Quatermain|H. Rider Haggard

Preceding her was Agon, the High Priest, arrayed in his most gorgeous vestments, and on either side were other priests.
Allan Quatermain|H. Rider Haggard
After our escape from Agon and his pious crew we returned to our quarters in the palace and had a very good time.
Allan Quatermain|H. Rider Haggard
Then the High Priest Agon turned, and his face was as the face of a devil.
Allan Quatermain|H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for agon

agon

/ (ˈæɡəʊn, -ɡɒn) /

noun plural agones (əˈɡəʊniːz)

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

Word Origin for agon

C17: Greek: contest, from agein to lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012