a. [ OE. discordant, descordaunt, OF. descordant, discordant, F. discordant, p. pr. of discorder, OF. also, descorder. See Discord, n. ] 1. Disagreeing; incongruous; being at variance; clashing; opposing; not harmonious. [ 1913 Webster ] The discordant elements out of which the emperor had compounded his realm did not coalesce. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. [ See Discord, n., 2. ] (Mus.) Dissonant; not in harmony or musical concord; harsh; jarring; as, discordant notes or sounds. [ 1913 Webster ] For still their music seemed to start Discordant echoes in each heart. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Geol.) Said of strata which lack conformity in direction of bedding, either as in unconformability, or as caused by a fault. Syn. -- Disagreeing; incongruous; contradictory; repugnant; opposite; contrary; inconsistent; dissonant; harsh; jarring; irreconcilable. -- Dis*cord"ant*ly, adv. -- Dis*cord"ant*ness, n. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] |