dissonant
Meaning
lacking harmony; disagreeing or incongruous.
(of sound) harsh and unpleasant because of a combination of different musical notes that are not in harmony.
Structure
Usage
the dissonant chords in the modern composition created a feeling of tension and unease.
his views on the matter were dissonant with the official policy of the company.
the artist used dissonant colors to evoke a sense of chaos in the painting.
Etymology
the word dissonant is a direct descendant of the latin verb 'dissonare,' which means "to be discordant" or "to sound harshly." this latin term is itself a compound of the prefix 'dis-,' indicating separation or negation, and the root 'sonare,' meaning "to sound." the core concept is of sounds being apart or in conflict with each other, creating a sense of discord. over time, this literal meaning of clashing sounds was extended metaphorically to describe any elements—such as ideas, opinions, or colors—that are in a state of disagreement or incongruity, preserving the original logic of things being "apart in sound."
Analysis
- dis: latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart," "asunder," "away," or having a negative or reversing force. - son: latin origin, from 'sonus' meaning "sound." - ant: latin origin, via old french, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "performing, being in a state of."