DEBATE

argument, argumentation, debate

(noun) a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; “the argument over foreign aid goes on and on”

debate, disputation, public debate

(noun) the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)

debate

(verb) argue with one another; “We debated the question of abortion”; “John debated Mary”

argue, contend, debate, fence

(verb) have an argument about something

debate, deliberate

(verb) discuss the pros and cons of an issue

consider, debate, moot, turn over, deliberate

(verb) think about carefully; weigh; “They considered the possibility of a strike”; “Turn the proposal over in your mind”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

debate (countable and uncountable, plural debates)

An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.

An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.

(uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

(frequently in the French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin.

(obsolete) Strife, discord.

Verb

debate (third-person singular simple present debates, present participle debating, simple past and past participle debated)

(ambitransitive) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena. [from 14th c.]

(obsolete, intransitive) To fight. [14th-17th c.]

(obsolete, transitive) To engage in combat for; to strive for.

(transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

Anagrams

• beated, bed tea, bed-tea, betaed

Source: Wiktionary

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De*bate", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb. n. Debating.] Etym: [OF. debatre, F. débattre; 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.

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.

De*bate", n. Etym: [F. débat, fr. débattre. 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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