controvert, v.
(ˈkɒntrəvɜːt, kɒntrəˈvɜːrt)
Also 7–8 contra-.
[Appeared about 1600: f. L. type *controvertĕre (f. contrō- against + vertĕre to turn) on the assumed analogy of L. contrōversus controversed, and of convert, pervert, etc. So in mod.Sp. controvertir, Pg. controverter.
The source of this and the conjunct words was L. contrōversus turned against, opposed, controverted; thence, OF. controvers adj. (15th c.) opposed, hostile, controverted; also F. controversé (16th c.) controverted, and Eng. controversed; thence the Eng. verb to controverse, and mod.F. controverser; finally, by analogy, Eng. controvert, with its ppl. adj. controverted. The stress varies between the first and the third syllable: the latter mode is less usual, but more according to analogy: cf. animadvert, advert, etc., contradict, contravene, etc. So with the derivatives.]
† 1. trans. To oppose by argument or action; to dispute or contest (a title, possession, etc.).
| 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 60 He may..alledge that na recognition sould be taken, anent the lands contraverted. 1661 Bramhall Just Vind. iii. 31 Whether the possession..was certain and setled, or controverted and unquiet. 1682 Burnet Rights Princes v. 188 Yet the Rights of Guardianship..were never controverted. |
2. To make the subject of controversy or verbal contention; to debate, discuss, dispute about.
| 1612 Brinsley Lud. Lit. xiii. (1627) 184 A Theame of some matter which may be controverted. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. iii. iii. (1651) 207 Why melancholy men are witty..is a problem much controverted. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones (1775) III. 110 A point which was controverted between Mr. Thwackum and Mr. Square. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 612 He would controvert the matter with eminent divines. |
b. Const. with obj. clause.
| 1684 T. Burnet Th. Earth I. 254 The fathers..disputed and controverted, whether paradise was corporeal, or intellectual only. 1744 Harris Three Treat. iii. i. (1765) 126 Whether all this deserves the name of Good or not, I do not controvert. |
3. To contend against or oppose in argument; to dispute, deny, contradict.
| a 1613 Overbury Newes to Univ. Wks. (1856) 180 When one truth is granted, it may be..brought to confirm any other controverted. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vii. iv. 346 The existence hereof men do not controvert. 1788 Priestley Lect. Hist. v. xxxvi. 265 The Aristotelian philosophy..which no person had the courage to controvert before Descartes. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 316 This doctrine has been controverted; it is, however, very ably defended by Mr. Hargrave. 1830 S. R. Maitland The 1260 Days 23 The statement which you have attempted to controvert. 1880 M{supc}Carthy Own Times IV. liii. 127 A fact which cannot be controverted. |
b. To oppose, stand up against (a person).
| 1816 Scott Old Mort. xxvii, Thou wilt join thy grey hairs to his green youth to controvert me in this matter? |
4. intr. To engage in a controversy.
| 1616 Bullokar, Controvert, to contend, strive, or be at variance about a matter. 1641 R. B. K. Parallel Liturgy w. Mass-bk., etc. 48 They do controvert among themselves about the words. 1683 Curtis in Mem. J. Story Revived 32 Thou didst not much controvert with him. 1851 J. H. Newman Cath. in Eng. 304 He would not controvert with me at all, unless I subscribed to a doctrine, etc. |