Lexic.us

Definition of Debate

1. Noun. A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal. "The argument over foreign aid goes on and on"

2. Verb. Argue with one another. "Sam cannot debate Sue "; "John debated Mary"

3. Noun. The formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote).

4. Verb. Think about carefully; weigh. "They debate moving "; "Turn the proposal over in your mind"

5. Verb. Discuss the pros and cons of an issue. "Sam wants to debate with Sue "

6. Verb. Have an argument about something. "Sam wants to debate with Sue "

Definition of Debate

1. v. t. To engage in combat for; to strive for.

2. v. i. To engage in strife or combat; to fight.

3. n. A fight or fighting; contest; strife.

Definition of Debate

1. Noun. (obsolete) Strife, discord. ¹

2. Noun. An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision. ¹

3. Noun. An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views. ¹

4. Noun. Discussion of opposing views. ¹

5. Noun. (''Frequently in French form ''débat) a type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin. ¹

6. Verb. (obsolete) To fight. (defdate 14th-17th c.) ¹

7. Verb. To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Debate

1. to argue about [v -BATED, -BATING, -BATES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Debate

debarred debarring debars debase debased debaser debasers debases debasing debasingly

debatable debatably debate (current term) debateable debated debateful debatement debatements debater debaters

debates debatest debateth debathification debating debatingly debation

Literary usage of Debate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1858)
"The details of that matter, and the speeches on the famous proclamation-debate on our policy in Oude, are known to every one. I only use the title that it ..."

2. Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World by Jonathan Swift (1894)
"IX A grand debate at the General Assembly of the Houyhnhnms, and hmv it was determined. ... In this Council was resumed their old debate, and indeed, ..."

3. English Constitutional History from the Teutonic Conquest to the Present Time by Thomas Pitt Taswell-Langmead (1905)
"Seven days' debate. The final debate. which raised a fierce outcry against all Papists, and was by many believed to have been secretly instigated or ..."

4. A History of the English Church During the Civil Wars and Under the by Ecole littéraire de Montréal, Charles Gill, William Arthur Shaw (1900)
"The debate was long and evidently fierce, for Hyde received, as chairman of the committee, a sharp rebuke from Fiennes for allowing Coke's words to pass; ..."

5. The Constitutional History of England Since the Accession of George the by Thomas Erskine May (1876)
"When few save the ablest men contended in debate, and the rank and file ... Excellence in debate has suffered from the multiplied demands of public affairs. ..."

6. Twenty Years of Congress: From Lincoln to Garfield ; with a Review of the by James Gillespie Blaine (1884)
"debate IN THE SENATE.— MR. CLARKE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.—ABLE SPEECH OF MR. ... THE debate on the direct question of Reconstruction did not begin at so early a ..."

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