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.
