Words / C2

int-uh-NEES-yn/ˌɪntəˈniːsaɪn/

Internecine means destructive to both sides, especially of conflict inside a group: internecine warfare, internecine rows. War (already in the dictionary) is everyday fighting between countries; conflict (already in the dictionary) is a serious disagreement, and acrimony (already in the dictionary) is bitter feeling in a dispute — heat, not mutual ruin. Consonance (already in the dictionary) is agreement — the opposite flavour. Biscuits are not a flame-risk close-out.

Meaning

Destructive to both sides, especially of conflict within a group.

Examples

• “Internecine war over biscuits is not a flame-risk close-out.”
• “War is everyday fighting (already in A2). Conflict is a serious clash (already in B2). Acrimony is bitterness in a quarrel (already in C2). Consonance is agreement (already in C2) — the contrast. A dated flame-risk line can still be calm. A feud that never names the owner of the door is noise. Name the warden; leave the menu for the social.”

Good to know

Mutually destructive (within a group). Everyday: war / conflict (already in this dictionary). Close: acrimony (already in C2). Contrast: consonance (already in C2). Biscuits ≠ a flame.

Near in meaning

internal, mutual, destructive, factional

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