Search Result for "controversy": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;
- Example: "they were involved in a violent argument"
[syn: controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Controversy \Con"tro*ver`sy\, n.; pl. Controversies. [L. controversia, fr. controversus turned against, disputed; contro- = contra + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.] 1. Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions. [1913 Webster] This left no room for controversy about the title. --Locke. [1913 Webster] A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing. --Johnson. [1913 Webster] 2. Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference. [1913 Webster] The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. --Jer. xxv. 31. [1913 Webster] 3. A suit in law or equity; a question of right. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment. --2 Sam. xv. 2. Syn: Dispute; debate; disputation; disagreement; altercation; contention; wrangle; strife; quarrel. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

controversy n 1: a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument" [syn: controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

108 Moby Thesaurus words for "controversy": Kilkenny cats, altercation, antagonism, apologetics, apologia, apology, argument, argumentation, bicker, bickering, blood feud, brawl, broil, casuistry, cat-and-dog life, clashing, combat, conflict, confrontation, contention, contentiousness, contest, contestation, contradiction, cut and thrust, debate, defense, difference, disaccord, disaccordance, disagreement, discord, discordance, discordancy, discrepancy, disharmony, disparity, disputation, dispute, dissension, dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, divergence, diversity, donnybrook, donnybrook fair, embroilment, enmity, faction, falling-out, feud, fight, fighting, fliting, flyting, fracas, fuss, hassle, hostility, hubbub, hurrah, imbroglio, inaccordance, inequality, jarring, litigation, logomachy, miff, negation, open quarrel, opposition, oppugnancy, paper war, passage of arms, polemic, polemics, quarrel, quarreling, quarrelsomeness, questioning, repugnance, rhubarb, rumpus, scrapping, set-to, sharp words, slanging match, snarl, spat, squabble, squabbling, strife, struggle, tiff, tussle, unharmoniousness, variance, vendetta, verbal engagement, war, war of words, warfare, words, wrangle, wrangling
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

CONTROVERSY. A dispute arising between two or more persons. It differs from case, which includes all suits criminal as well as civil; whereas controversy is a civil and not a criminal proceeding. 2 Dall. R. 419, 431, 432; 1 Tuck. Bl. Com. App. 420, 421; Story, Const. Sec. 1668. 2. By the constitution of the United States the judicial power shall extend to controversies to which the United States shall be a party. Art. 2, 1. The meaning to be attached to the word controversy in the constitution, is that above given.
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

CONTROVERSY, n. A battle in which spittle or ink replaces the injurious cannon-ball and the inconsiderate bayonet. In controversy with the facile tongue -- That bloodless warfare of the old and young -- So seek your adversary to engage That on himself he shall exhaust his rage, And, like a snake that's fastened to the ground, With his own fangs inflict the fatal wound. You ask me how this miracle is done? Adopt his own opinions, one by one, And taunt him to refute them; in his wrath He'll sweep them pitilessly from his path. Advance then gently all you wish to prove, Each proposition prefaced with, "As you've So well remarked," or, "As you wisely say, And I cannot dispute," or, "By the way, This view of it which, better far expressed, Runs through your argument." Then leave the rest To him, secure that he'll perform his trust And prove your views intelligent and just. Conmore Apel Brune