contention
    n 1: a point asserted as part of an argument
    2: a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong
       disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
       [syn: controversy, contention, contestation,
       disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing]
    3: the act of competing as for profit or a prize; "the teams
       were in fierce contention for first place" [syn:
       competition, contention, rivalry] [ant: cooperation]

Contention \Con*ten"tion\, n. [F. contention, L. contentio. See
   Contend.]
   1. A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist,
      something; contest; strife.
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            I would my arms could match thee in contention.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel;
      dispute; as, a bone of contention.
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            Contentions and strivings about the law. --Titus
                                                  iii. 9.
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   3. Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal.
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            An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain.
                                                  --Rogers.
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   4. A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument
      taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or
      strife; a position taken or contended for.
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            All men seem agreed what is to be done; the
            contention is how the subject is to be divided and
            defined.                              --Bagehot.
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            This was my original contention, and I still
            maintain that you should abide by your former
            decision.                             --Jowett.

   Syn: Struggle; strife; contest; quarrel; combat; conflict;
        feud; litigation; controversy; dissension; variance;
        disagreement; debate; competition; emulation.

   Usage: Contention, Strife. A struggle between two parties
          is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a
          struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the
          possession of some desired object, or the
          accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the
          words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there
          may be a generous strife or contention between two
          friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to
          sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a
          struggle arising from bad passions. In that case,
          strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and
          contention from, a selfish spirit which seeks its own
          aggrandizement, or is fearful lest others should
          obtain too much. Strife has more reference to the
          manner than to the object of a struggle, while
          contention takes more account of the end to be gained.
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