I. di-ˈspyüt verb
( dis·put·ed ; dis·put·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French desputer, from Latin disputare to discuss, from dis- + putare to think
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
: to engage in argument : debate ; especially : to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make the subject of disputation
legislators hotly disputed the bill
b. : to call into question
her honesty was never disputed
2.
a. : to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders
b. : to contend over
both sides disputed the bridgehead
• dis·put·able di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl, ˈdis-pyə- adjective
• dis·put·ably -blē adverb
• dis·put·er noun
II. di-ˈspyüt, ˈdis-ˌpyüt noun
Date: 1555
1.
a. : verbal controversy : debate
b. : quarrel
2. obsolete : physical combat