disputant

& s. [Fr., pr. par. of disputer.] *A. As adj.: Disputing, engaged in disputation or controversy. "Among the gravest Rabbis disputant On points and questions fitting Moses' chair." Milton: P. R., iv. 218, 219. B. As subst .: One who engages or takes part in disputation or controversy; a reasoner, a controversialist. had now effectually vindi "The disputants cated him."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. xiv. dis-pu-tā-tion, *dis-pu-ta-cion, *des-pu-tacioun, s . [Fr. disputation ; O. Sp. dis put a cion ; Ital. dis put azione , from Lat. disputatio , from dis putatus , pa. par. of disputo .] 1. The act or science of disputing; a reasoning or arguing on opposite sides; controversy, discu ion, debate. "And now to descend unto our matter and dis put a cion ." -Frith: Works , p. 4. 2. An exercise in colleges, in which those engaged argue on opposite sides. *3. Conversation. "I understand thy ki es, and thou mine, And that's a feeling disputation ." Shakesp.: Henry IV ., Pt. I. , iii. 1. dis-pu-tā'-tious, *dis-pu-ta-cio us, a . [As if from a Lat. dis put at ios us , from dis put at us , pa. par. of disputo .] Given to dispute or controversy; caviling, contentious. "While these disputatious meddlers tried to wrest from him his power over the Highlands." - Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. v. dis-pu-ta-tious-ly, adv. [Eng. disputatious; -ly.] In a disputatious, caviling, or contentious manner. dis-pu-tā-tious-ne , s. [Eng. disputatious; ne .] The quality of being disputatious.