n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: de · bat · ed ; de · bat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : FIGHT , CONTEND
2 a : to contend in words b : to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments
3 : to participate in a debate
transitive verb
1 a : to argue about <the subject was hotly debated > b : to engage (an opponent) in debate
2 : to turn over in one's mind <he's still debating what to do>
synonyms see DISCUSS
– de · bate · ment \ - ' b ā t-m ə nt \ noun
– de · bat · er noun