CONTENTIOUS, adjective 1. Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse. A continual dropping in a rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 27:15. 2. Relating to contention in law; relating to litigation; having power to decide causes between contending parties; as a court of contentious jurisdiction. 3. Exciting or adapted to provoke contention or disputes; as a contentious subject.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI