Definition of dispute
Etymology
From Middle English disputen < Old French desputer (French disputer) < Latin disputare ("to dispute, discuss, examine, compute, estimate") < dis- ("apart") + putare ("to reckon, consider, think, orig. make clean, clear up"), related to purus ("pure"). Cf. compute, count, impute, repute, amputate, etc.
Pronunciation
Noun
dispute (plural disputes)
- An argument or disagreement, a failure to agree.
- Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or expression of opposing views or claims; controversial discussion; altercation; debate.
- Contest; struggle; quarrel.
Verb
to dispute (third-person singular simple present disputes, present participle disputing, simple past and past participle disputed)
- To contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another; to discuss; to reason; to debate; to altercate; to wrangle.
- To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss.
- To oppose by argument or assertion; to attempt to overthrow; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call in question; to deny the truth or validity of; as, to dispute assertions or arguments.
- To strive or contend about; to contest.
- To struggle against; to resist.
Related terms
- disputable
- disputant
- disputation
- disputatious
Derived terms
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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