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.
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            The people . . . contested not what was done.
                                                  --Locke.
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            Few philosophical aphorisms have been more frequenty
            repeated, few more contested than this. --J. D.
                                                  Morell.
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   2. To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to
      defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground.
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   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.
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   {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.
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