Con*tend" (?), v. i. [imp.
& p. p. Contended; p. pr. & vb.
n. Contending.] [OF. contendre, L.
contendere, -tentum; con- + tendere
to strech. See Tend.] 1. To strive in
opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to
fight.
For never two such kingdoms did contend
Without much fall of blood.
Shak.
The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites,
neither contend with them in battle.
Deut. ii. 9.
In ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valor.
Shak.
2. To struggle or exert one's self to
obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
You sit above, and see vain men below
Contend for what you only can bestow.
Dryden.
3. To strive in debate; to engage in
discussion; to dispute; to argue.
The question which our author would contend
for.
Locke.
Many things he fiercely contended about
were trivial.
Dr. H. More.
Syn. -- To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive;
oppose; emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate.
Con*tend", v. t. To struggle
for; to contest. [R.]
Carthage shall contend the world with
Rome.Dryden.
