DEBATE

I. noun Date: 13th century a contention by words or arguments: as, the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure, a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides, II. verb (~d; debating) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere Date: 14th century intransitive verb fight , contend , 2. to contend in words, to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments, to participate in a ~, transitive verb 1. to argue about , to engage (an opponent) in ~, to turn over in one's mind , see: discuss ~ment noun ~r noun