/kon"treuh verr'see/ ; Brit. also /keuhn trov"euhr see/ , n. , pl. controversies .
1. a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.
2. contention, strife, or argument.
[ 1350-1400; ME controversie ( controversia, equiv. to controvers ( us ) turned against, disputed ( contro-, var. of CONTRA against, + versus, ptp. of vertere to turn) + -ia -Y 3 ]
Syn. 1. disagreement, altercation. 2. quarrel, wrangle. See argument .