a. Obs. [f. L. contrōvers-us turned against, controverted, disputed (see CONTROVERSEDs) + -AL.]
1. Turned or looking in opposite directions.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 74. The Temple of Janus with his two controversal faces.
2. Subject to controversy; debatable; = CONTROVERSIAL 1.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus i. 8. The iudgment of the most controuersall matters was committed by God to the Priests.
1635. Austin, Medit., 92. Their Countrie, from whence they came, is as controversall, and incertaine.
1660. Stillingfl., Iren., I. vi. § 6 (1662), 122. Far from inserting any thing controversal into them.
3. Of or pertaining to controversy; polemical; = CONTROVERSIAL 2.
1637. Bastwick, Litany, III. 22. His polemicall and controversall books.
1661. Baxter, Moral Prognost., II. xliii. 60. Abundance of Controversal Writings.
1697. D. F., Char. Dr. S. Annesley, Pref. B ij. Some excel in Polemical Divinity, some in Controversal.
4. Taking part in controversy; = CONTROVERSIAL 3.
1653. Baxter, Peace Consc., 130. Not so common a thing as some controversal Doctors … take it to be. Ibid. (1657), Pres. Thoughts, 25. A hundred other controversall men.
Hence Controversally adv., controversially.
1672. Penn, Spir. Truth Vind., 39. Those who trade either Ministerially or Controversally with them.
