Dissensions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Disputes arise when varying opinions within a group clash, resulting in conflict and unrest that disrupt unity
2. Conflicting perspectives among individuals can lead to tensions and arguments, causing division and discord within a community
3. Instances where opposing views within a collective create strife and disrupt harmony

Etymology: "Dissensions" is the plural of "dissension", which traces back to the Latin "dissensio", a noun from "dissentire", meaning to disagree or feel differently. The Latin root combines "dis-", meaning apart, with "sentire", to feel or think, so the underlying image is of people feeling or thinking in separate directions. The word passed into English through a chain of medieval languages: Old French gave it to Middle French as "dissention" and "discention", and English took it in as the Middle English "dissencioun". Because the word is a plain inherited noun built from a familiar Latin verb, its history is straightforward rather than dramatic. Its meaning has stayed close to the original sense of divergent opinion, now typically meaning open disagreement within a group that threatens to split it.

Synonyms: disagreements, conflicts, strife

Antonyms: agreement, harmony, accord