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Definitions for: Contention
[n] the act of competing as for profit or a prize; "the teams were in fierce contention for first place"
[n] a point asserted as part of an argument
[n] a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
Webster (1913) Definition: Con*ten"tion, n. [F. contention, L. contentio. See
Contend.]
1. A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist,
something; contest; strife.
I would my arms could match thee in contention.
--Shak.
2. Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel;
dispute; as, a bone of contention.
Contentions and strivings about the law. --Titus
iii. 9.
3. Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal.
An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain.
--Rogers.
4. A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument
taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or
strife; a position taken or contended for.
All men seem agreed what is to be done; the
contention is how the subject is to be divided and
defined. --Bagehot.
This was my original contention, and I still
maintain that you should abide by your former
decision. --Jowett.
Syn: Struggle; strife; contest; quarrel; combat; conflict;
feud; litigation; controversy; dissension; variance;
disagreement; debate; competition; emulation.
Usage: Contention, Strife. A struggle between two parties
is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a
struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the
possession of some desired object, or the
accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the
words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there
may be a generous strife or contention between two
friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to
sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a
struggle arising from bad passions. In that case,
strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and
contention from, a selfish spirit which seeks its own
aggrandizement, or is fearful lest others should
obtain too much. Strife has more reference to the
manner than to the object of a struggle, while
contention takes more account of the end to be gained.
Synonyms: arguing, argument, competition, contestation, controversy, disputation, rivalry, tilt
Antonyms: cooperation
See Also: argle-bargle, argy-bargy, assertion, asseveration, averment, conflict, contest, difference, difference of opinion, dispute, group action, polemic, sparring, submission
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