Plural of dissonance; multiple instances of clashing sounds or conflicting ideas that create tension or disagreement.
From Old French dissonance, from Latin dissonantia (from dis- 'apart' + sonare 'to sound'). The meaning expanded from musical discord to any kind of conflict or contradiction.
Your brain actually hates dissonance so much that it works hard to resolve it—this is why a minor chord feels uncomfortable until it resolves to major. Musicians use this psychological trick constantly to make you feel suspense!
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