noun
hindrance; interference; conflict
Refers to something that gets in the way, causes inconvenience, or creates a conflict of schedules or interests. Often used in set phrases like 差し合いになる (to conflict) or 差し合いがあって (due to a prior engagement).
先約の差し合いで、その日は行けません。
I can't go that day because of a prior engagement.
会議の時間が差し合いになった。
The meeting times conflicted.
Compound of 差し (from 差す, 'to insert' or 'to point') and 合い (from 合う, 'to meet' or 'to fit together'), suggesting a situation where things intersect or interfere with each other. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.