to make a loud, harsh noise: The gears of the old car clashed and grated.
to come together or collide, especially noisily: The cymbals clashed.
to conflict; disagree: Their stories of the accident clashed completely.
(of juxtaposed colors) to be offensive to the eye.
to engage in a physical conflict or contest, as in a game or a battle (often followed by with): The Yankees clash with the White Sox for the final game of the season.
verb (used with object)
to strike with a resounding or violent collision: He clashed his fist against the heavy door.
to produce (sound) by or as by collision: The tower bell clashed its mournful note.
noun
a loud, harsh noise, as of a collision: The automobiles collided with a terrible clash.
a collision, especially a noisy one.
a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests: a clash between nations.
a battle, fight, or skirmish: The clash between the border patrols left three men dead.
c.1500, "to make a loud, sharp sound," of imitative origin, or a blend of clap and crash. Cf. 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.
