Collide Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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collide

[kəˈlaɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in a physical sense

To come into violent contact with; strike violently or forcefully together; crash: The car collided with a tree. To conflict: His views collide with mine.

Synonyms

bump, clash, crash, meet.

Examples of usage

  • The two cars collided at the intersection.
  • The protesters' opinions collided with the government's policies.
Context #2 | Verb

in a metaphorical sense

To be in opposition or disagreement: Their ideas collide with each other.

Synonyms

conflict, contradict, disagree, oppose.

Examples of usage

  • Their schedules collided, so they had to reschedule the meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In physics, 'collide' often refers to the interaction of particles, like atoms crashing together in high-energy experiments.
  • Asteroids colliding can lead to significant changes in their orbits and even create craters on planets and moons.
  • In the context of collisions, momentum and energy conservation laws come into play, explaining the outcomes of the crash.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Transformers' and superhero films showcase dramatic collisions as main plot points.
  • Video games often feature 'collide' mechanics where characters or objects bump into each other, affecting gameplay.
  • The phrase 'collide with fate' is often used in romantic films to describe unexpected meetings between characters.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance can feel like a 'collision' of thoughts and beliefs, creating mental discomfort until resolved.
  • When two ideas collide in a debate, it can lead to deeper understanding or stronger disagreements.
  • Emotional collisions, such as love vs. duty, are common themes in literature and film, showcasing human conflict.

Literature

  • Literature often uses 'collide' metaphorically to represent conflicting ideologies or characters in dramatic narratives.
  • In poetry, the collision of images can create vivid contrasts, enhancing the emotional impact of the work.
  • Classic novels like 'Pride and Prejudice' highlight social collisions as characters navigate societal expectations and personal desires.

Origin of 'collide'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'collidere', which means 'to strike together'.
  • The prefix 'co-' means 'together', while 'ludere' means 'to play', indicating an interaction.
  • In English, it was adopted in the 17th century, highlighting both physical impacts and figurative ones.

The word 'collide' originated from the Latin word 'collidere', which means 'to clash, to strike together'. It has been used in English since the 17th century, originally in a physical sense of two objects crashing into each other. Over time, its usage has expanded to include metaphorical collisions of ideas, schedules, or opinions.


See also: collider, collision.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,760, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.