(often + about) to argue, esp angrily and persistently
to make (something) the subject of disputation
They disputed the issue vehemently for some hours
to call (a statement, etc) into question
I dispute those statistics
to struggle over or contest (a reigning or leading position)
She is disputing the championship with Graf
to struggle against or resist (an advance or landing by an enemy)
disputant noun
disputative /-tətiv/ adj
disputer noun
[Middle English disputen via Old French from Latin disputare to discuss, contend, from dis- + putare to think]