| 释义 |
de·bate
I. \-āt, usu -ād.+V\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English debat, from Old French, from debatre
1.
a. obsolete : a fight or fighting : contest
b. archaic : quarrel, dissension, strife
2.
a. : a contention by means of words or arguments
< an evening's debate among friends >
: strife in argument : controversy; specifically : the formal discussion, argumentation, and resolution of a motion before a legislative assembly or other public deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure
b. : consideration of or reflection upon a problem
< paused hesitantly, but after a moment of debate she went forward >
3.
a. : an instance of debating
< we have just now engaged in a great debate — F.D.Roosevelt >
b.
(1) : a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides as a test of forensic ability
(2) : a course of study of the methods and techniques of such discussion often taught in schools and colleges
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English debaten, from Middle French debatre, from Old French, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battere, alteration of battuere — more at bat (stick)
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to engage in combat or strife : fight, contend, quarrel
2.
a. : to contend in words : dispute
b. : to discuss or examine a question by considering or stating different arguments
< Socrates debated on the subject of life and death >
3. : to participate in a debate or other public disputation or discussion
4. : to reflect upon a question or problem
< debate with oneself before deciding to go >
transitive verb
1.
a. : to argue about : discuss
< the subject was hotly debated >
especially : to discuss (a matter of public concern) in a legislative assembly
b. : to engage in debate with (an opponent)
< Lincoln debated Douglas on this issue >
2. : to turn over (a matter) in one's mind : reflect upon
< I held her hand for a moment, debating a reply — L.C.Douglas >
3. archaic : to engage in combat for : strive or fight for or over : contest
Synonyms: see discuss |