Definition

1. Noun:
   • An alphabetical index of the principal words in a book or the works of an author, showing every occurrence with its immediate context: A concordance is a reference tool that lists key words and shows how they are used in specific passages.
   • Agreement or harmony between people or things: Concordance refers to a state of accord, consensus, or compatibility.
   • A harmonious state of things in general and of their properties: This meaning emphasizes a congruity where parts are in agreement with each other and the whole.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Index):
  • The scholar used a Shakespeare concordance to find every instance of the word "melancholy."
  • Creating a concordance for the Bible was a monumental task for early lexicographers.
• Noun (Agreement/Harmony):
  • There was a remarkable concordance of opinion among the committee members.
  • The design achieved a perfect concordance of color and form.

Advanced Usage

• "In concordance with": In agreement or accordance with something.
  • The project was carried out in concordance with the new regulations.
• Statistical Concordance: In research, a measure of agreement or correlation between two sets of data or observations.
  • The study reported a high statistical concordance between the two diagnostic tests.

Variants and Related Words

• Concord (n): A state of agreement or harmony; a formal treaty.
  • The two nations lived in concord for decades.
• Concordant (adj): Being in agreement or harmony.
  • The results were concordant with our initial hypothesis.

Synonyms

• Index: A list, often alphabetical, serving as a guide to contents.
• Agreement: Harmony of opinion or feeling.
• Harmony: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect; a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts.

Related Phrases

• Verbal Concordance: An index ordered alphabetically by words.
• Real Concordance: An index of subjects or topics.

Related Idioms

• "To be in concordance": To be in a state of agreement. (This is a formal phrase rather than a common idiom).
  • Their findings were in concordance with established theory.

Noun

1. an index of all main words in a book along with their immediate contexts
2. agreement of opinions
3. a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole