English Dictionary: debate | by the DICT Development Group |
4 results for debate | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Debate \De*bate"\, n. [F. d[82]bat, fr. d[82]battre. See {Debate}, v. t.] 1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic] On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore. --R. of Gloucester. But question fierce and proud reply Gave signal soon of dire debate. --Sir W. Scott. 2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress. Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate. --Pope. 3. Subject of discussion. [R.] Statutes and edicts concerning this debate. --Milton. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Debate \De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Debating}.] [OF. debatre, F. d[82]battre; L. de + batuere to beat. See {Batter}, v. t., and cf. {Abate}.] 1. To engage in combat for; to strive for. Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine. --Prescott. 2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against. A wise council . . . that did debate this business. --Shak. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov. xxv. 9. Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See {Argue}, and {Discuss}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Debate \De*bate"\, v. i. 1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Well could he tourney and in lists debate. --Spenser. 2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; -- often followed by on or upon. He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends. --Tatler. |