English Dictionary

Definition of “dispute

dispute

Definitions

verb

  1. to argue, debate, or quarrel about (something)
  2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to doubt the validity, etc, of
  3. (tr) to seek to win; contest for
  4. (tr) to struggle against; resist

noun

  1. an argument or quarrel

Alternative Forms

disˈputer noun

Word Origin

C13: from Late Latin disputāre  to contend verbally, from Latin: to discuss, from dis-C13: from Late Latin to contend verbally, from Latin: to discuss, from 1 + to think + putāre to think

Usage examples

  • Another CITES conference was in progress, with governments once more locked in bitter dispute.
    Tony Juniper, SPIX'S MACAW: The Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird (2002)
  • Lengthy legal arguments threaten to prevent The Hives being able to release any new music until the dispute is settled.
    NME (New Musical Express) (2002)
  • The next key development in the ASTI dispute comes with the benchmarking.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Further proposals aimed at settling the dispute will be put forward at the end of next week.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Darwin insisted blushing is not a form of communication, although his own evidence could be used to dispute this.
    Claudia Hammond, EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)

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