Debate

Debate - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

DEBATE, n.

1. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for elucidating truth; strife in argument or reasoning, between persons of different opinions, each endeavoring to prove his own opinion right, and that of his opposer wrong; dispute; controversy; as the debates in parliament or in congress.

2. Strife; contention.

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate. Isa 1:8.

3. The power of being disputed; as, this question is settled beyond debate; the story is true beyond debate.

4. Debate or debates, the published report of arguments for and against a measure; as, the debates in the convention are printed.

DEBATE, v.t. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain a cause by reasoning; to dispute; to discuss; to argue; to contest, as opposing parties; as, the question was debated till a late hour.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. Prov 25.

DEBATE, v.i.

1. To debate on or in, to deliberate; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind.

2. To dispute.

3. To engage in combat.

de-bat': This word is used only once in the Revised Version (British and American) (Pr 25:9). It evidently refers to the settling of a difficulty with a neighbor, and anticipates Mt 18:15. It argues for and shows the advantage of private, peaceable settlement of difficulties. Compare Ecclesiasticus 28:9, and see MAKEBATES.