CONTROVERSY Con"tro*ver`sy, n.; pl. Controversies. Etym: [L. controversia, fr. controversus turned against, disputed; contro- = contra + versus, p.p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]
1. Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary
opinions.
This left no room for controversy about the title. Locke.
A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing. Johnson.
2. Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference. The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. Jer. xxv. 31.
3. A suit in law or equity; a question of right. [Obs.] When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment. 2 Sam. xv. 2.
Syn. — Dispute; debate; disputation; disagreement; altercation; contention; wrangle; strife; quarrel.
CONTROVERT
Con"tro*vert, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Controverted; p.pr. & vb.n.
Controverting.] Etym: [See Controversy.]
Defn: To make matter of controversy; to dispute or oppose by reasoning; to contend against in words or writings; to contest; to debate. Some controverted points had decided according to the sense of the best jurists. Macaulay.
CONTROVERTER
Con"tro*ver`ter, n.
Defn: One who controverts; a controversial writer; a
controversialist.
Some controverters in divinity are like swaggerers in a tavern. B.
Jonson.
CONTROVERTIBLE
Con`tro*ver"ti*ble, a.