agon

ag·on

 (ăg′ŏn, -ōn, ä-gōn′)

n. pl. a·gon·es (ə-gō′nēz)

1. A conflict, especially between the protagonist and antagonist in a work of literature.

2. The part of an ancient Greek drama, especially a comedy, in which two characters engage in verbal dispute.

3. A test of will; a conflict: "Freud's originality stemmed from his aggression and ambition in his agon with biology" (Harold Bloom).

4. A contest in ancient Greece, as in athletics or music, in which prizes were awarded.

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[Greek agōn; see agony.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

agon

(ˈæɡəʊn; -ɡɒn)

n, pl agones (əˈɡəʊniːz)

(Historical Terms) (in ancient Greece) a festival at which competitors contended for prizes. Among the best known were the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian Games

[C17: Greek: contest, from agein to lead]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ag•on

(ˈæg oʊn, -ɒn, ɑˈgoʊn)

n., pl. a•go•nes (əˈgoʊ niz)

1. (in literature) conflict, esp. between the protagonist and the antagonist.

2. (in ancient Greece) a contest in which prizes were awarded in any of a number of events, as athletics, drama, music, poetry, and painting.

[1650–60; < Greek agṓn struggle, contest]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

agon - a festivity in ancient Greece at which competitors contended for prizes festivity, celebration - any joyous diversion Isthmian Games - the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially on the Isthmus of Corinth in the first and third years of each Olympiad Nemean Games - the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially at Nemea in the second and fourth years of each Olympiad Olympian Games, Olympic Games - the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Olympia in honor of Zeus; held every 4 years beginning in 776 BC Pythian Games - the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Delphi held every four years in the third year of the Olympiad in honor of Apollo

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

agone