Rivalry
/ˈraɪ.vəl.ri/noun
Competition or conflict between people, groups, or institutions seeking the same goal or advantage.
Did you know?In Latin, a rival was literally a rivalis—someone who used the same stream or irrigation channel as you, making water rights an ancient source of conflict.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*rei-
“To flow or run”
Classical Latin
Latin
rivus
“A stream, brook, or channel carrying water”
Classical Latin
Latin
rivalis
“A person sharing or disputing the use of the same stream”
15th Century
English
rival
“A competitor or adversary”
16th Century
English
rivalry
“The condition or relationship of being rivals”
Modern English
English
rivalry
“Ongoing competition or conflict between opponents”