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

Derived 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- ( see 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

But while this plan was being followed with good prospects of success, lo, that other and greater enemy of thine, Eck, broke in with the Leipzig Disputation which he had undertaken against Dr. Carlstadt.

From Works of Martin Luther With Introductions and Notes (Volume II) by Luther, Martin

Disputation is dry work,” he added, with a charming gaiety of manner.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 5 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

It came about in this wise: Eck at the Disputation had driven Luther to declare that belief in the divine supremacy of Rome was not necessary to salvation.

From Works of Martin Luther With Introductions and Notes (Volume I) by Luther, Martin

Like the scholastic method and the worship of Aristotle, the Disputation fell into disrepute because of the extravagant lengths to which it was carried.

From Readings in the History of Education Mediaeval Universities by Norton, Arthur Orlo

It was much used in Mediæval Disputation, and is still more popular than the Categorical Syllogism.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William