Internecine Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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internecine
[ˌɪtərˈnɛsaɪn ]
Definition
internal conflict
Internecine refers to conflicts or struggles occurring within a group, organization, or community, often resulting in damage or destruction that affects all parties involved. This term highlights the devastating impact of such internal disputes, which can lead to a breakdown in unity and cooperation. Typically, internecine conflicts occur in political, social, or military contexts, where factions within the same group compete for power or resources, creating chaos and fragmentation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The party faced an internecine struggle that threatened its future.
- Their internecine warfare left the community in ruins.
- The internecine conflict within the organization hampered its progress.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
History
- Many civil wars throughout history can be viewed as internecine conflicts, where factions within a country fight.
- The Roman Republic faced several internecine wars, leading to its eventual transition into the Roman Empire as factions vied for power.
- The American Civil War is often referred to as an internecine struggle as it pitted brother against brother within the same nation.
Psychology
- Internecine conflict can lead to detrimental mental health effects, such as stress and anxiety for those involved.
- In group dynamics, such conflicts can create a toxic environment, impacting collaboration and trust among members.
- Understanding the roots of internecine disputes can aid in conflict resolution strategies within organizations.
Literature
- Internecine themes often appear in literature, showcasing tragic internal conflicts, like in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
- Modern novels, particularly in the dystopian genre, use internecine strife to illustrate the downfall of societies.
- Writers often explore the devastating effects of internecine conflict on personal relationships in stories about family feuds.
Politics
- Political parties sometimes face internecine turmoil when factions disagree on core philosophies or strategies.
- The term is relevant in examining the infighting within political movements, which can undermine their goals.
- Internecine conflicts within governments can lead to legislative gridlock, preventing effective governance.
Origin of 'internecine'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'internecinus', meaning 'destructive' or 'deadly'.
- In its earliest use, 'internecine' described conflicts that were fatal to both sides involved.
- The term was first recorded in English in the late 17th century, indicating serious internal disputes.
The word 'internecine' comes from the Latin term 'internecīnus', which means 'pertaining to slaughter'. This Latin term is derived from 'internecare', meaning 'to kill or slay'. The roots of both words can be traced back to 'inter-', meaning 'between', and 'necare', which means 'to kill'. The term began to be used in English in the early 19th century to describe conflicts that are destructive to all parties involved, particularly in a societal or organizational context. Over time, 'internecine' has evolved to broadly denote any situation where opposition occurs within the same group, highlighting the self-destructive nature of such conflicts.