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Webster 1913 Edition


Controversy

Con′tro-verˊsy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Controversies
(#)
.
[L.
controversia
, fr.
controversus
turned against, disputed;
contro-
=
contra
+
versus
, p. p. of
vertere
to turn. See
Verse
.]
1.
Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.
This left no room for
controversy
about the title.
Locke.
A dispute is commonly oral, and a
controversy
in writing.
Johnson.
2.
Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference.
The Lord hath a
controversy
with the nations.
Jer. xxv. 31.
3.
A suit in law or equity; a question of right.
[Obs.]
Syn. – Dispute; debate; disputation; disagreement; altercation; contention; wrangle; strife; quarrel.

Webster 1828 Edition


Controversy

CONTROVERSY

,
Noun.
[L. See Controvert.]
1.
Dispute; debate; agitation of contrary opinions. A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing. Dispute is often or generally a debate of short duration, a temporary debate; a controversy is often oral and sometimes continued in books or in law for months or years.
This left no room for controversy, about the title.
Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Timothy 3.
2.
A suit in law; a case in which opposing parties contend for their respective claims before a tribunal.
And by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried. Deuteronomy 21.
3.
Dispute; opposition carried on.
The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. Jeremiah 25.
4.
Opposition; resistance.
And stemming [the torrent] with hearts of controversy.

Definition 2024


controversy

controversy

English

Noun

controversy (plural controversies)

  1. A debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife.
    • 2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
      The game was engulfed in controversy when Rodwell appeared to win the ball cleanly in a midfield challenge with Suarez. The tackle drew an angry response from Liverpool's players- Lucas in particular as Suarez writhed in agony - but it was an obvious injustice when the England Under-21 midfielder was shown the red card.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:dispute

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. Fowler's Modern English Usage (3rd edition, 1996)

External links

  • controversy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • controversy in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911