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Apple of discord

//ˈæp(ə)l əv ˈdɪskɔːd// noun

Definitions

Noun

1
An object or topic which sows anger and dissension; something which causes argument, rivalry, or strife.
"He has determined to enter the cabinet surrounded with creatures only, and, as to the Parliament, to trust to his dexterity and strength in throwing the apple of discord, occasions for doing which will, he imagines, soon and frequently occur."
2
(classical mythology) a golden apple thrown into a banquet of the gods by Eris (goddess of discord — who had not been invited); the apple had ‘for the fairest’ written on it and Hera and Athena and Aphrodite all claimed it; when Paris (prince of Troy) awarded it to Aphrodite it began a chain of events that led to the Trojan War wordnet

Etymology

A reference to the μῆλον τῆς Ἔριδος (mêlon tês Éridos, “apple of Eris”) in Greek mythology, a golden apple inscribed ‘for the fairest female’ which Eris (known as Discordia to the Romans), the goddess of discord and strife, tossed in the midst of the feast of the gods at the wedding of Thetis and Peleus. This provoked a dispute among Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera as to who was the most beautiful, and eventually led to the Trojan War.

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