I. di-ˈbāt, dē- noun
Date: 13th century
: a contention by words or arguments: as
a. : the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure
b. : a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides
II. verb
( 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 -ˈbāt-mənt noun
• de·bat·er noun