Conflict, n. [L. conflictus a striking together, fr. confligere, - flictum, to strike together, to fight: cf. F. conflit, formerly also conflict. See Conflict, v.]
1. A striking or dashing together; violent collision; as, a conflict of elements or waves.
2. A strife for the mastery; hostile contest; battle; struggle; fighting.
As soon as he [Atterbury] was himself again, he became eager for action and conflict. Macaulay.
An irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces. W. H. Seward.
2 more senses
Conflict of laws, that branch of jurisprudence which deals with individual litigation claimed to be subject to the conflicting laws of two or more states or nations; -- often used as synonymous with Private international law.
Syn. -- Contest; collision; struggle; combat; strife; contention; battle; fight; encounter. See Contest.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Conflict, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Conflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Conflicting.] [L. conflictus, p. p. of confligere to conflict (cf. conflictare); con- + fligere to strike; cf. Gr. flibein, qlibein, to press, L. flagrum whip.]
1. To strike or dash together; to meet in violent collision; to collide. Shak.
Fire and water conflicting together. Bacon.
2. To maintain a conflict; to contend; to engage in strife or opposition; to struggle.
A man would be content to . . . conflict with great difficulties, in hopes of a mighty reward. Abp. Tillotson.
3. To be in opposition; to be contradictory.
The laws of the United States and of the individual States may, in some cases, conflict with each other. Wheaton.
Syn. -- To fight; contend; contest; resist; struggle; combat; strive; battle.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for conflict; he lists it under battle, collision.
Where he writes about it:
Conflict is a general word which describes opponents, whether individuals or hosts, as dashed together. — from battle
One continuous conflict between entire armies is a battle. — from battle
Opposition is used chiefly of persons, more rarely of opinions or interests; conflict is used indifferently of all. — from collision