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altercate

[ awl-ter-keyt ]
/ ˈɔl tərˌkeɪt /
SEE MORE 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.

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. alter.,
  2. alterable,
  3. alterant,
  4. alteration,
  5. alterative,
  6. altercation,
  7. altered chord,
  8. altered state of consciousness,
  9. altern,
  10. alternans

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
Word Origin and History for altercate

altercate

v.

1520s, "to contend with words," from Latin altercatus, past participle of altercari (see altercation).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper