— contentiously , adv. — contentiousness , n.
/keuhn ten"sheuhs/ , adj.
1. tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome: a contentious crew.
2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy: contentious issues.
3. Law. pertaining to causes between contending parties.
[ 1400-50; late ME contenciose contentiosus, equiv. to contenti ( o ) CONTENTION + -osus -OUS ]
Syn. 1. disputatious, argumentative.