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contend definition

con·tend (kən tend′)

intransitive verb

  1. to strive in combat; fight
  2. to strive in competition; vie contend for a prize
  3. to strive in debate or controversy; dispute

Etymology: ME contenden, to compete < L contendere, to stretch out, strive after < com-, together + tendere, to stretch: see tense

transitive verb

to hold to be a fact; assert we contend that he is guilty

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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