altercate

[ awl-ter-keyt ]
/ ˈɔl tərˌkeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR altercate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), al·ter·cat·ed, al·ter·cat·ing.

to argue or quarrel with zeal, heat, or anger; wrangle.

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Origin of altercate

1530–40; < Latin altercātus (past participle of altercārī to quarrel), equivalent to *alterc(us) a disputing (alter other + -cus formative suffix) + -ātus -ate1

Words nearby altercate

alter., alterable, alterant, alteration, alterative, altercate, altercation, altered chord, altered state of consciousness, altern, alternans
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to altercate

contend, squabble, disagree, quibble, dispute, quarrel, differ, bicker, tangle, carp, wrangle, feud, spar, argue, complain, waffle, scuffle, tussle, defend, compete

British Dictionary definitions for altercate

altercate
/ (ˈɔːltəˌkeɪt) /

verb

(intr) to argue, esp heatedly; dispute

Word Origin for altercate

C16: from Latin altercārī to quarrel with another, from alter other
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012