controvert

The story

1. Latin · derived fromcontrō-“against”
2. Medieval Latin · borrowed fromcontrōvertere
3. English todaycontrovert

Borrowed from Medieval Latin contrōvertere, from Latin contrō- (“against”) + vertere (“to turn”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. To dispute, to argue about (something).
• from 16th c. To argue against (something or someone); to contradict, to deny.
• from 17th c. To be involved or engaged in controversy; to argue.