Debate : (noun)
1: a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against
some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign
aid goes on and on" [syn: argument, argumentation]
2: the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated
proposition (usually followed by a vote) [syn: disputation,
public debate]
(verb)
1: argue with one another; "We debated the question of
abortion"; "John debated Mary"
2: think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the
possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your
mind" [syn: consider, moot, turn over, deliberate]
3: discuss the pros and cons of an issue [syn: deliberate]
4: have an argument about something [syn: argue, contend, fence]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Debate : \De*bate"\, v. i.
1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Well could he tourney and in lists debate.
--Spenser.
2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to
consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the
mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
He presents that great soul debating upon the
subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
--Tatler.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Debate : \De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb.
n. Debating.] [OF. debatre, F. d['e]battre; L. de _ batuere
to beat. See Batter, v. t., and cf. Abate.]
1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.
Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner,
and the cause of religion was debated with the same
ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
--Prescott.
2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to
maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss;
to argue for and against.
A wise council . . . that did debate this business.
--Shak.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov.
xxv. 9.
Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See Argue, and
Discuss.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Debate : \De*bate"\, n. [F. d['e]bat, fr. d['e]battre. See
Debate, v. t.]
1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic]
On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great
debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . .
. fourscore. --R. of
Gloucester.
But question fierce and proud reply Gave signal soon
of dire debate. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the
purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife
in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or
in Congress.
Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate. --Pope.
3. Subject of discussion. [R.]
Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.
--Milton.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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DEBATE, legislation, practice. A contestation between two or more persons,
in which they take different sides of a question, and maintain them,
respectively, by facts and arguments; or it is a discussion, in writing, of
some contested point.
2. TheDebate : should be conducted with fairness, candor and decorum,
and supported by facts and arguments founded in reason; when, in addition,
it is ornamented by learning, and decorated by the powers of rhetoric, it
becomes eloquent and persuasive. It is essential that the power of debate
should be free, in order to an energetic discharge of his duty by the
debator.
3. The Constitution of the United States, art. 1, s. 6, provides, that
for any speech or debate, in either house, the senators and representatives
shall not be questioned in any other place.
4. It is a rule of the common law, that counsel may, in, the discharge
of professional duty, use strong epithets, however derogatory to the
character of the opponent, or his attorney, or other agent or witness, in
commenting on the facts of the case, if pertinent to the cause, and stated
in his instructions, without any liability to any action for the supposed
slander, whether the thing stated were true or false. 1 B. & Ald. 232; 3
Dow's R. 273, 277, 279; 7 Bing. R. 459; S. C. 20 E. C. L. R. 198.
Respectable and sensible counsel, however, will always refrain from the
indulgence of any unjust severity, both on their own personal account, and
because browbeating a witness, or other person, will injuriously affect
their case in the eyes of a respectable court and jury. 3 Chit. Pr. 887, 8.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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