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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.

To play the politician; to dispute as politicians do. [Obs.] Milton.

tances or probabilities; not speculative; compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable; decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth; positive proof. "'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions." Shak.

A preliminary inquiry and determination about something which belongs to a matter in dispute.

To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus. A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others. Dr. H. More. He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders. Addison.

fference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses. I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. Lev. xxvi. 25. On open seas their quarrels they d…

Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question. There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John iii. 25. It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply…

Without tumult, alarm, dispute, or disturbance; peaceably; as, to live quietly; to sleep quietly.

One to whom a thing is referred; a person to whom a matter in dispute has been referred, in order that he may settle it.

The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the judgment of one or more persons for decision. (b) (Equity)

, to refute arguments; to refute testimony; to refute opinions or theories; to refute a disputant. There were so many witnesses in these two miracles that it is impossible to refute such multitudes. Addison.

cessions of the seasons. Macaulay. The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police. Bancroft.

Reply to an objection in formal disputation. I. Watts.

A kind of retrenchment, as in the body of a bastion, which may be disputed inch by inch after the defenses are dismantled. It usually consists of two faces which make a reëntering angle.

An obsolete phrase of disputed meaning, -- perhaps, smooth or polished bone. His saddle was of rewel boon. Chaucer.

Tinged or mingled with blood; bloody; as, sanguinolent sputa.

t; a place for acquiring knowledge and mental training; as, the school of the prophets. Disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Acts xix. 9.

One versed in the niceties of academical disputation or of school divinity.

; serene; not passionate or giddy; composed; staid; as, a sedate soul, mind, or temper. Disputation carries away the mind from that calm and sedate temper which is so necessary to contemplate truth. I. Watts. Whatsoever we feel and know Too sedate for outward show. Wordsworth.

Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension. [U. S.]