Definition of contention

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contentious >

con·ten·tion    (kn-tnshn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate. See Synonyms at discord.
2. A striving to win in competition; rivalry: The teams met in fierce contention for first place.
3. An assertion put forward in argument.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English contencioun, from Old French contention, from Latin contenti, contentin-, from contentus, past participle of contendere, to contend ; see contend