Dictionary


de•bate



Pronunciation: (di-bāt'), [key]
—n., v., -bat•ed, -bat•ing.

—n.
1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
3. deliberation; consideration.
4. Archaic.strife; contention.

—v.i.
1. to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly: When we left, the men were still debating.
2. to participate in a formal debate.
3. to deliberate; consider: I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
4. Obs.to fight; quarrel.

—v.t.
1. to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly: They debated the matter of free will.
2. to dispute or disagree about: The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
3. to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.): Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
4. to deliberate upon; consider: He debated his decision in the matter.
5. Archaic.to contend for or over.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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