— debater , n. — debatingly , adv.
/di bayt"/ , n. , v. , debated, debating .
n.
1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
3. deliberation; consideration.
4. Archaic. strife; contention.
v.i.
5. to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly: When we left, the men were still debating.
6. to participate in a formal debate.
7. to deliberate; consider: I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
8. Obs. to fight; quarrel.
v.t.
9. to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly: They debated the matter of free will.
10. to dispute or disagree about: The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
11. to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.): Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
12. to deliberate upon; consider: He debated his decision in the matter.
13. Archaic. to contend for or over.
[ 1250-1300; (v.) ME debaten debatre, equiv. to de- DE- + batre to beat battere, earlier battuere; (n.) ME debat debatre ]
Syn. 1. argument, controversy, disputation, contention. 5. dispute, contend. See argue .