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

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

This appears from their Disputation of 1536 on the question: "Whether this proposition is true: The righteousness of works is necessary to salvation."

From Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by Bente, F. (Friedrich)

Disputation becomes a passion and the higher state of life, of which criticism is the necessary precursor, is lost sight of, and many remain at this stage when it is reached and go no further.

From English Secularism A Confession Of Belief by Holyoake, George Jacob

Disputation was one of the products of the Greek mind; and Aristotle was its prophet.

From Practical Essays by Bain, Alexander

At Rome in 1509 he was painting with Raphael in the Vatican, and in his next dated work, the Entombment, at Jesi, the echoes of Raphael's Disputation and the School of Athens are clear.

From Six Centuries of Painting by Davies, Randall