Etymology Map
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Conflict

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a serious disagreement

Where does the word "conflict" come from? It comes from Latin conflictus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
conflictus
Latin · ancient
"a striking together"
from 'confligere', to strike together
2
Stage 2 of 2
conflict
English · 1400s
"fight"
'conflict of interest' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Conflict’s story begins in Latin: conflictus meant “a striking together.” From 'confligere', to strike together. It reached English by 1400s as conflict. 'conflict of interest' dates from the 1700s. Today, conflict means a serious disagreement.