Controversy Definition

kŏntrə-vûrsē
controversies
noun
controversies
A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views.
American Heritage
A lengthy discussion of an important question in which opposing opinions clash; debate; disputation.
Webster's New World
The act or practice of engaging in such disputes.
Writers skilled at controversy.
American Heritage
A quarrel or dispute.
Webster's New World
A difference in views, especially in public, between individuals taking opposite sides on a particular issue.
Webster's New World Law

Other Word Forms of Controversy

Noun

Singular:
controversy
Plural:
controversies

Origin of Controversy

  • Middle English controversie from Latin contrōversia from contrōversus disputed contrō- (variant of contrā contra-) versus past participle of vertere to turn wer-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French controversie, from Latin controversia (“debate, contention, controversy”), from controversus (“turned in an opposite direction”).

    From Wiktionary

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