v.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' tend
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere, from com- + tendere to stretch ― more at THIN
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1 : to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : STRUGGLE
2 : to strive in debate : ARGUE
transitive verb
1 : MAINTAIN , ASSERT < contend ed that he was right>
2 : to struggle for : CONTEST