Contend \Con*tend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Contended; p. pr. &
vb. n. Contending.]
[OF. contendre, L. contendere, -tentum;
con- + tendere to strech. See Tend.]
1. To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie;
to quarrel; to fight.
For never two such kingdoms did contend Without much
fall of blood. --Shak.
The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites,
neither contend with them in battle. --Deut. ii. 9.
In ambitious strength I did Contend against thy
valor. --Shak.
2. To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain
possession of, or to defend.
You sit above, and see vain men below Contend for
what you only can bestow. --Dryden.
3. To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute;
to argue.
The question which our author would contend for.
--Locke.
Many things he fiercely contended about were
trivial. --Dr. H. More.
Syn: To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive; oppose;
emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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