v. t.
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
A wise council . . . that did debate this business. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. Prov. xxv. 9.
v. i.
Well could he tourney and in lists debate. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. débat, fr. débattre. See Debate, v. t. ]
On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore. R. of Gloucester. [ 1913 Webster ]
But question fierce and proud reply
Gave signal soon of dire debate. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
Statutes and edicts concerning this debate. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Full of contention; contentious; quarrelsome. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. With contention. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. OF. debatement a beating. ] Controversy; deliberation; debate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
A serious question and debatement with myself. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who debates; one given to argument; a disputant; a controvertist. [ 1913 Webster ]
Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]