definitions

litigate

[ lit-i-geyt ]
/ ˈlɪt ɪˌgeɪt /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR litigate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing.

to make the subject of a lawsuit; contest at law.
Archaic. to dispute (a point, assertion, etc.).

verb (used without object), lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing.

to carry on a lawsuit.

RELATED WORDS

prosecute, sue, appeal, contest, dispute

Nearby words

lithuresis, lithuria, lithy, litigable, litigant, litigate, litigation, litigation friend, litigator, litigious, litmus

Origin of litigate

First recorded in 1605–15, litigate is from the Latin word lītigātus (past participle of lītigāre to go to law). See litigant, -ate1

Related forms

lit·i·ga·tive, adjectivere·lit·i·gate, verb (used with object), re·lit·i·gat·ed, re·lit·i·gat·ing.un·lit·i·gat·ed, adjectiveun·lit·i·gat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for litigate

British Dictionary definitions for litigate

litigate

/ (ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt) /

verb

to bring or contest (a claim, action, etc) in a lawsuit
(intr) to engage in legal proceedings

Derived Forms

litigator, noun

Word Origin for litigate

C17: from Latin lītigāre, from līt-, stem of līs lawsuit + agere to carry on
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