Defn: Disposed to dispute; inclined to cavil or to reason in opposition; as, a disputative temper. I. Watts.
DISPUTE Dis*pute", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Disputed; p. pr. & vb. n. Disputing.] Etym: [OE. desputen, disputen, OF. desputer, disputer, F. disputer, from L. disputare, disputatum; dis- + putare to clean; hence, fig., to clear up, set in order, reckon, think. See Putative, Pure.]
Defn: To contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another; to discuss; to reason; to debate; to altercate; to wrangle. Therefore disputed [reasoned, Rev. Ver .] he in synagogue with the Jews. Acts xvii. 17.
DISPUTE
Dis*pute", v. t.
1. To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to
discuss.
The rest I reserve it be disputed how the magistrate is to do herein.
Milton.
2. 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 seize goods under the disputed authority of writs of assistance. Bancroft.
3. To strive or contend about; to contest. To dispute the possession of the ground with the Spaniards. Prescott.
4. To struggle against; to resist. [Obs.] Dispute it [grief] like a man. Shak.
Syn. — To controvert; contest; gainsay; doubt; question; argue; debate; discuss; impugn. See Argue.
DISPUTE
Dis*pute", n. Etym: [Cf. F. dispute. See Dispute, v. i.]