[app. f. CONTEST v. (and originally having the same stress); but cf. mod.F. conteste, not in Cotgr. 1611, but quoted by Littré, in phrase sans conteste, from Molière, 1654.]
1. Strife in argument, keen controversy, dispute, debate, wordy war. † Without contest: without dispute, incontestably.
1643. Denham, Cooper’s Hill, 69. Though this of old no less contest did move, Than when for Homer’s Birth seven Cities strove.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 1189. And of thir vain contest appeer’d no end.
1707. E. Ward, Hud. Rediv. (1715), II. IX. He was, without Contest, As grand a Rebel as the best.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 40, ¶ 3. When the contest happens to rise high between men of genius and learning.
1780. Cowper, Rep. Adjudged Case, 1. Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose. Ibid. (1784), Task, III. 161. Great contest follows, and much learned dust Involves the combatants.
2. Struggle for victory, for a desired object, or in defence; conflict, strife, contention.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1843), 13/1. He [Buckingham] was of a courage not to be daunted, which was manifested … in his contests with particular persons of the greatest reputation.
1665. Manley, Grotius’s Low C. Warres, 215. In the event of this Contest, it is very remarkable, that … there was not one considerable Ship lost.
1780. Burke, Sp. declining Poll, Wks. III. 433. The worthy gentleman, who has been snatched from us at the moment of the election, and in the middle of the contest.
1797. Bewick, Brit. Birds (1847), I. 270. A contest commences … between the Cuckoos for the possession of the nest.
1839. Thirlwall, Greece, IV. 55. The assistance they could hope to receive from Athens in their contest with the enemy.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. xv. 161. The dogs are carefully trained not to engage in contest with the bear.
3. Amicable conflict, as between competitors for a prize or distinction; competition.
1647. Crashaw, Poems, 4. O sweet contest; of woes With loves, of tears with smiles disporting.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 205. ¶ 6. As the evening approached, the contest [for prizes] grew more earnest.
1839. Thirlwall, Greece, IV. 421. Many of the late competitors returned to the contest.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 87. In musical contests there shall be one set of judges of solo singing or playing.
