■ noun 'kɒntɛst an event in which people compete for supremacy.
↘a dispute or conflict.
■ verb kən'tɛst
1》 compete to attain (a position of power).
↘take part in (a competition or election).
2》 challenge or dispute.
Phrases
no ~
1》 chiefly US another term for nolo contendere .
2》 a decision to declare a boxing match invalid on the grounds that one or both of the boxers are not making serious efforts.
↘a competition or comparison of which the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
C16 (as v. 'swear to, attest'): from L. ~ari 'call upon to witness, initiate an action (by calling witnesses)', from con- 'together' + testare 'to witness'.