Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Debate
De-bate′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Debated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Debating
.] 1.
To engage in combat for; to strive for.
Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was
debated
with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine. Prescott.
De-bate′
,Verb.
I.
1.
To engage in strife or combat; to fight.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Well could he tourney and in lists
debate
. Spenser.
2.
To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; – often followed by on or upon.
He presents that great soul
debating
upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends. Tatler.
1.
A fight or fighting; contest; strife.
[Archaic]
On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great
debate
. . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore. R. of Gloucester.
But question fierce and proud reply
Gave signal soon of dire
Gave signal soon of dire
debate
. Sir W. Scott.
2.
Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy;
as, the
. debates
in Parliament or in CongressHeard, noted, answer’d, as in full
debate
. Pope.
3.
Subject of discussion.
[R.]
Statutes and edicts concerning this
debate
. Milton.