disputer


dis·pute

D0283700 (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.
[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.]
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.