disputation

American  

[dis-pyoo-tey-shuhn] / ˌdɪs pyʊˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of disputing or debating; verbal controversy; discussion or debate.

2. an academic exercise consisting of the arguing of a thesis between its maintainer and its opponents.

3. Obsolete. conversation.

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disputation British  

/ ˌdɪspjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of arguing

2. a formal academic debate on a thesis

3. an obsolete word for conversation

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Other Word Forms

• predisputation noun

Etymology

Origin of disputation

1350–1400; Middle English disputacioun < Latin disputātiōn- (stem of disputātiō ), equivalent to disputāt ( us ) (past participle of disputāre; disput- ( dispute ) + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion; replacing desputisoun < Old French

Explanation

A disputation is a formal argument or debate, like the heated but thoughtful disputation your classmates have over whether Marvel or DC Comics is superior. The term disputation comes from a Latin root, disputare, meaning "weigh, examine, discuss, argue, or explain." A true disputation is careful and well thought-out, and it often takes place in a scholarly or academic setting. Formal debates are one type of disputation, and going all the way back to the Middle Ages, disputations were often religious in nature. Theological disputations between Jewish and Christian scholars were common in 13th century Europe, for example.

Example Sentences

Luther’s theses were written in Latin as an academic/theological disputation about the practice of indulgences, which were a million miles from a freewheeling, secular, new-age fashion such as Twitter.

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

Santos's angry disputation was soon undermined after Rochard released a high-quality photo which appeared to show Santos wearing the same red feathered dress as in the first image.

From Salon • Jan. 20, 2023

Don’t bother performing sober fact-based disputation with a gaslighter.

From Slate • May 16, 2022

Rather than merely presenting an interpretation of Christian thought and expecting students to absorb it verbatim, scholastic teachers used disputation with students to hone their students’ argumentative skills, insight, and logical analysis.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

And now it was also I and not only Reb Saunders who was able to listen to Danny’s voice only through a Talmudic disputation.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok