debate

Meanings

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.
• An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.
• Discussion of opposing views.
• 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.
• Strife, discord.

Verb

• To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
• To fight.
• To engage in combat for; to strive for.
• To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

Origin

• From Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre ("to fight, contend, debate, also literally to beat down"), from Romanic desbattere, from Latin dis- ("apart, in different directions") + battuere.