Also 4–5 -cioun, 5–6 -cion, 6 -tioun, -tione. [a. F. contention, ad. L. contentiōn-em, n. of action from contendĕre to contend. (OF. had orig. the inherited form cuntençun, contençon.)]
1. The action of straining or striving earnestly; earnest exertion, effort, endeavor. Obs. or arch.
1581. Nowell & Day, in Confer., I. (1584), C iij b. Which wordes he pronounced with … great contention of voice.
1640. Bp. Reynolds, Passions, xxv. An earnest contention of the minde in the pursuit of that good which should perfect our Natures.
1653. H. More, Antid. Ath., I. xi. (1712), 34. A joint contention of Strength.
a. 1729. J. Rogers, 19 Serm. (1735), 51. This is an end which, at first View, appears worthy our utmost Contention to obtain.
1858. Herschel, Outlines Astron., Introd. 8. The contention of mind for which they [these enquiries] call is enormous.
2. The action of contending or striving together in opposition; strife, dispute, verbal controversy.
Bone of contention: see BONE sb. 7.
1382. Wyclif, Phil. i. 17. Summe of contencioun, or stryfe, schewen Crist not clenly.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVI. lxxi. (1495), 576. The stone Onix … meueth the herte to contencion and debate.
1529. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 121/1. A great matter in contencion & debate betwene them.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm., Matt. viii. 23 (1841), 381. The church … is by outward persecution and inward contention … troubled.
1655. W. F., Meteors, 140. Of Amber is great contention, whether it be a minerall, or the Sperme of a Whale.
1772. Priestley, Inst. Relig. (1782), I. 83. Excess frequently gives occasion to quarrelling and contention.
1806. Gazetteer Scotl. (ed. 2), 527. This fortress was frequently the scene of bloody contention.
1876. J. H. Newman, Hist. Sk., I. I. iv. 176. Religious contention broke out in Bagdad itself, between the rigid and the lax parties.
transf. & fig. 1604. Shaks., Oth., II. i. 92. The great Contention of Sea, and Skies.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), II. 747. One long contention of fraud against robbery.
b. (with a and pl.) A particular act of strife; a quarrel, contest, dispute.
c. 1450. Merlin, xxi. 366. Whan the kynge Bohors vndirstode the contencion of the kynge and his nevewes.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. ii. 6. No Quarrell, but a slight Contention.
1611. Bible, Prov. xviii. 18. The lot causeth contentions to cease.
1661. Bramhall, Just Vind., i. 7. Such were the contentions of the Roman and African Bishops.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, X. ii. Jones … interposing, a fierce contention arose.
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 225. Contentions with the home government were frequent.
c. = TENSON, q.v.
1883. A. H. Wodehouse, in Grove, Dict. Mus., III. 585. The tensons, or contentions, were metrical dialogues of lively repartee on some disputed point of gallantry.
3. The action of contending in rivalry or emulation; competition. With a and pl.: An act or instance of rivalry; a trial of skill or ability.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 254. These and such like contentions … many have attempted, and thereby wonne commendation.
1606. Bryskett, Civ. Life, 69. For contention of valor … Alexander granted a combat betweene Diosippus and his aduersary.
1633. J. Done, trans. Aristeas’ Hist. Septuagint, 180. Betwixt us, I would kindle a kinde contention, and emulation of aymiable Vertue.
1743. Fielding, J. Wild, I. iv. Engaging with him at cards, in which contentions … the Count was greatly skilful.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., iii. As if there had been a contention among them who should do the honours of the house.
† b. The matter in competition. Obs.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 422, ¶ 6. One would think … that the Contention is, who shall be most disagreeable.
4. That which is contended for in argument; the point or thesis which a person strives to maintain and prove.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr. (1646), I. 134. In this their contention, they mean nothing else, but that there are two natures in Christ.
1865. Ch. Times, 2 Dec. Their contention is, that the ‘Romanizers,’ [etc.].
1878. Black, Green Past., I. 3. This then is your contention—that a vast number of women, [etc.].
1883. Sir J. Bacon, in Law Rep., 23 Chanc. Div. 697. Mr. Williams’ contention is without a shadow of support.
¶ 5. Contrast, comparison. Obs. [A Latinism.]
1530. Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, I. xvii. But if contencyon and comparyson be made.
† 6. = CONTENTATION. Obs.
1516. Cartulary, in Plumpton Corr., p. cxxv. What overplus may be saved towards the contencion of the said debts.
1579–8. North, Plutarch’s Lives, 65 (R.). Such men as place felicity … in the quiet safety, peace, and concord of a commonweal, and in clemency, justice, joyned with contention.
† 7. app. = Continuance; cf. contene, CONTAIN 17.
1666. J. Smith, Old Age (1752), 13. Two words [days and years] to express the contention of this state … viz. how long this state shall remain.
