altercation
[awl-ter-key-shuhn]
- a heated or angry dispute; noisy argument or controversy.
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Origin of altercation
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
flap, brawl, run-in, argument, wrangle, fracas, tiff, blowup, quarrel, bickering, embroilment, rumble, fuss, beef, contest, controversy, go, hassle, brush, wordsExamples from the Web for altercation
Contemporary Examples
The only thing that both sides agree on is that an altercation ensued, and Brown was shot multiple times.
Uneasy Peace in Ferguson in Danger After Slain Brown Named as Suspect in RobberyJustin Glawe
August 15, 2014
The Paris Hilton peace settlement circles us back to the Cipriani Ibiza altercation.
Her part in the altercation is riveting: at one point, she delicately moves her dress train out of the way.
From Anne Frank to anger management: in June TMZ obtained audio of an altercation between Bieber and a photographer.
Justin Bieber’s No Good, Very Bad Year: Alleged Prostitutes, Reckless Driving, and MoreAmy Zimmerman
December 13, 2013
The altercation was reportedly "all over a little white H&M bow tie," that one of the bottle service waitresses liked and put on.
Justin Bieber Involved in Brawl Over H&M Bow Tie; Kim Kardashian Rumored To Design Children's ClothesThe Fashion Beast Team
August 7, 2013
Historical Examples
He resolved to be as prudent as possible, and avoid, as far as he could, any altercation with Haley.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Heyward saw, by the manner of the scout, that altercation would be useless.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
It was not an altercation; there was evidently nothing the least exciting in the colloquy.
The Room in the Dragon VolantJ. Sheridan LeFanu
Then the sound of the altercation overhead smote him too with alarm.
The Coryston FamilyMrs. Humphry Ward
The waiter with whom I had seen Herbert Bayliss in altercation was hurrying by me.
Kent Knowles: QuahaugJoseph C. Lincoln
altercation
- an angry or heated discussion or quarrel; argument
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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 altercation
n.
late 14c., from Old French altercacion (12c.) and directly from Latin altercationem (nominative altercatio) "a dispute, debate, discussion," noun of action from past participle stem of altercari "to dispute (with another)," from alter "other" (see alter).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper