De*bate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Debated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Debating.] [OF. debatre, F. débattre; 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.
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.
De*bate", n. [F. débat,
fr. débattre. 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.
