Contesting

Contest Con*test", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Contested}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Contesting}.] [F. contester, fr. L. contestari to call to witness, contestari litem to introduce a lawsuit by calling witnesses, to bring an action; con- + testari to be a witness, testic witness. See {Testify}.] 1. To make a subject of dispute, contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; to dispute. [1913 Webster]

The people . . . contested not what was done. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Few philosophical aphorisms have been more frequenty repeated, few more contested than this. --J. D. Morell. [1913 Webster]

2. To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert. [1913 Webster]

{To contest an election}. (Polit.) (a) To strive to be elected. (b) To dispute the declared result of an election.

Syn: To dispute; controvert; debate; litigate; oppose; argue; contend. [1913 Webster]