disputer

dis·pute

 (dĭ-spyo͞ot′)

v. dis·put·ed, dis·put·ing, dis·putes

v.tr.

1.

a. To express disagreement over: disputed the plaintiff's claims.

b. To express disagreement with (someone): made his point so forcefully that nobody dared dispute him.

2. To question the truth or validity of; doubt: Her friends disputed her intentions.

3.

a. To strive to gain or win; struggle over: The two countries disputed the region for decades.

b. To strive against; resist: disputed the advance of the marauders.

v.intr.

To engage in discussion or debate: The candidates disputed over foreign policy. See Synonyms at discuss.

n.

1. A verbal controversy; a debate: the dispute over the existence of the Loch Ness monster.

2. A disagreement or quarrel: a bitter dispute over property rights.

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[Middle English disputen, from Old French desputer, from Latin disputāre, to examine : dis-, apart; see dis- + putāre, to reckon; see pau- in Indo-European roots.]

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dis·put′a·bil′i·ty n.

dis·put′a·ble (dĭ-spyo͞o′tə-bəl, dĭs′pyə-) adj.

dis·put′a·bly adv.

dis·put′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.