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One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it. How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-p…

To make objection or opposition in controversy.

One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction. For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark ix. 40. Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part. Waller.

n of property, either real or personal, from the Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed in the petition itself. Mozley & W. -- The Petition of Right (Eng. Hist.), the parliamentary declaration of the rights of the people, assented to by Charles I.…

Fond of polemics or controversy. [R.]

Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- Po*lem"ic*al*ly, adv. Polemical and impertinent disputations. Jer. Taylor.

The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's position; to appear in a false position. Let not the proof of any position depend on the…

Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian controversy. Waterland.

Serving to produce; fruitful of results; active; as, a prolific brain; a controversy prolific of evil.

Relating to the five articles or points; as, the quinquarticular controversy between Arminians and Calvinists. [Obs.] Bp. Sanderson.

or subtilty in thought or language. "He makes another paragraph about our refining in controversy." Atterbury.

Wharton. -- Res judicata [L.] (Law), a thing adjudicated; a matter no longer open to controversy.

r making clear; resolution; solution. "To give a full resolve of that which is so much controverted." Milton.

The act of reflexing; the state of being retroflexed. Cf. Retroversion.

ise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies. Hooker.

To separate from the owner for a time; to take from parties in controversy and put into the possession of an indifferent person; to seize or take possession of, as property belonging to another, and hold it till the profits have paid the demand for which it is taken, or till the owner has performed the decree of court,…

s; pacification; liquidation of accounts; arrangement; adjustment; as, settlement of a controversy, of accounts, etc.

one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc. -- Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter. -- Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake th…