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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. [Middle English disputen, from Old French desputer, from Latin disputāre, to examine : dis-, apart; see DIS- + putāre, to reckon; see pau-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] dis·put′a·bili·ty n. dis·puta·ble (dĭ-spytə-bəl, dĭspyə-) adj. dis·puta·bly adv. dis·puter n. |
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