dispute

plural disputes

1. An argument or disagreement; a failure to agree.

   But is not this dispute over the question whether we have free will or not very like a dispute that we might engage in over the color of a tree — whether it be green or blue?

   1919, Ellwood Hendrick, Percolator Papers, page 67

   Synonyms: debate, quarrel

   1. lawA disagreement between parties in a contract, lawsuit, treaty, or other legal matter.

      Canadian experience throws light on the relative merits of a separate board for each dispute as compared with a permanent board to hear all disputes.

      1927, Ben Morris Selekman, “Synopsis”, in Postponing Strikes: A Study of the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of Canada, page 28

      1 more example

      A "who-does-what" labour dispute at Swindon works during April led to a stoppage of work on the construction of the new 0-6-0 Type 1 diesel-hydraulic locomotives of the D9500 series and work had not been resumed as we closed for press.

      1964 June, “Motive Power Miscellany: BR Workshops”, in Modern Railways, page 432

      Synonyms: debate, quarrel, conflict, controversy, claim, question

2. uncountableVerbal controversy or disagreement; altercation; debate.

   Addicted more / To contemplation and profound dispute.

   1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 4

present singular third person disputes · participle present disputing · participle past disputed · past disputed

1. intransitiveTo contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another.

   1 more example

   "Now, though thy thoughts are green and tender, as becometh one so young, yet are they those of a thinking brain, and in truth thou dost bring back to my mind certain of those old philosophers with whom in days bygone I have disputed at Athens, and at Becca in Arabia, for thou hast the same crabbed air and dusty look, as though thou hadst passed thy days in reading ill-writ Greek, and been stained dark with the grime of manuscripts."

   1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC

2. transitiveTo make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss.

   Some residents disputed the proposal, saying it was based more on emotion than fact.

3. To oppose by argument or assertion; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call into question; to deny the truth or validity of.

   to dispute assertions or arguments

   1 more example

   to seize goods under the disputed authority of writs of assistance

   1834–1874, George Bancroft, History of the United States, from the Discovery of the American Continent, volume (please specify |volume=I to X), Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company [et al.], →OCLC

4. To strive or contend about; to contest.

   to dispute the possession of the ground with the Spaniards

   1855–1858, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, →OCLC

5. obsoleteTo struggle against; to resist.

   Dispute it [grief] like a man.

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]