debate

DEBATE, noun 1. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for elucidating truth; strife in argument or reasoning, between persons of different opinions, each endeavoring to prove his own opinion right, and that of his opposer wrong; dispute; controversy; as the debates in parliament or in congress. 2. Strife; contention. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate Isaiah 1:8. 3. The power of being disputed; as, this question is settled beyond debate; the story is true beyond debate 4. debate or debates, the published report of arguments for and against a measure; as, the debates in the convention are printed. DEBATE, verb transitive To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain a cause by reasoning; to dispute; to discuss; to argue; to contest, as opposing parties; as, the question was debated till a late hour. DEBATE thy cause with thy neighbor himself. Proverbs 25:9. DEBATE, verb intransitive 1. To debate on or in, to deliberate; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind. 2. To dispute. 3. To engage in combat.