DEBASER
De*bas"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, debases.
DEBASINGLY
De*bas"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a manner to debase.
DEBATABLE
De*bat"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. debatable. See Debate.]
Defn: Liable to be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or
contention; open to question or dispute; as, a debatable question.
The Debatable Land or Ground, a tract of land between the Esk and the
Sark, claimed by both England and Scotland; the Batable Ground.
DEBATE
De*bate", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb. n. Debating.]
Etym: [OF. debatre, F. débattre; L. de + batuere to beat. See Batter,
v. t., and cf. Abate.]
1. To engage in combat for; to strive for. Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine. Prescott.
2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against. A wise council . . . that did debate this business. Shak. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. Prov. xxv. 9.
Syn.
— To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See Argue, and Discuss.