Also 5–7 contra-, 5 -cye. [ad. L. contrōversia, n. of quality f. contrōvers-us turned against, disputed; whence also earlier F. controversie (14th–16th c.), and mod.F. controverse, in same sense.]
1. The action of disputing or contending one with another; dispute, debate, contention.
† a. as to rights, claims, and the like. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, Heb. vi. 16. The ende of al her controuersye or debate is an ooth to confermacioun.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., an. 7 John (R.). Contrauersy and varyaunce began to aryse amonge ye personys assygned for the iij astatys.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., I. v. 27. He … made hym a Iudge in causes of controuersie.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 75. The Carthaginians enjoying the Dominion of the Sea without controversie.
transf. 1601. Shaks., Jul. C., I. ii. 109. The Torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it … stemming it with hearts of Controuersie.
b. Disputation on a matter of opinion; the contending of opponents one with another on a subject of dispute; discussion in which opposite views are advanced and maintained by opponents. Now chiefly applied to such a discussion conducted in writing.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1684), III. 564. It was agreed by both, without Controversie (not one saying contrary) that, [etc.].
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxxix. § 3. There is no place left of doubt or controversy.
1644. Milton, Educ. (1738), 136. To be tossed and turmoiled with their unballasted wits in fathomless and unquiet deeps of controversy.
1650. Hobbes, Hum. Nat., xiii. (R). The signs of two opinions contradictory one to another, namely affirmation and negation of the same thing, is called controversy.
1746. Wesley, Princ. Methodist, Pref. 1. This is the first time I have appeared in Controversy properly so called.
1839. Keightley, Hist. Eng., II. 57. Might put an end to religious controversy.
1875. Manning, Mission H. Ghost, vi. 150. This text has been the subject of endless controversy.
c. Const. At, in controversy: said of persons, or matters in dispute. Without, beyond, out of controversy [Lat. sine controversia]: without or beyond dispute, question, or doubt.
1547. J. Harrison, Exhort. Scottes, 218. He without al doubt or controuersy, was very Emperor of al Britayn.
1555. Eden, Decades, 40. The matter is yet in controuersie.
1594. West, 2nd Pt. Symbol., § 1. The facultie or power of pronouncing sentence betweene persons at controversie.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 5. S. Hierome … the best linguist without controuersie, of his age.
1644. Milton, Educ. (1738), I. 140. That it should be plain, healthful, and moderate, I suppose is out of controversy.
1777. Watson, Hist. Philip II. (1839), 279. Vitelli, who was, without controversy, the ablest and most experienced general.
1827. Jarman, Powell’s Devises (ed. 3), II. 89. This case was considered to have fixed, beyond controversy, the rule of law upon this subject.
2. (with a and pl.) A dispute, contention.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VII. vi. 92. Be-twene þame cawsyd wes controversys.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. xix. 60. Fyndyng alwayes som controuersies that nede not, but onely for to passe tyme.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 11. Variaunces and contraversies … bytwene the seid parties.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., II. iv. 109. Husbands, Fathers, and betrothed Louers, That shall be swallowed in this Controuersie.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. i. § 19. 18. A perpetual War and Controversie in the World … betwixt these two Parties or sects of men.
1845. Polson, in Encycl. Metrop., 797. In criminal controversies.
b. esp. A debate or dispute on a matter of opinion; a discussion of contrary opinions.
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 11. It were more fruteful for us … to handle sum sad & witti controversi.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 11. Lest the Authoritie of the Scriptures for deciding of controuersies … should somewhat be shaken.
1713. Berkeley, Hylas & Phil., III. Wks. I. 359. The controversy about Matter … lies altogether between you and the philosophers.
1852. H. Rogers, Ecl. Faith (1853), 100. The great controversy respecting the ‘Origin of Evil.’
† 3. Difference of opinion, disagreement. Obs.
1538. Starkey, England, I. ii. 28. Thys thyng … semyth to be a controuersy … betwyx Arystotyl and Plato. Ibid., I. ii. 44. Thus, Master Lvpset, the thyng dyuersly consyderyd makyth betwyx vs to appere controuersy.
4. Comb., as † controversy-logic, -writer.
1680. H. Dodwell, Two Lett. Advice (1691), 195. For Controversie Logick I mention nothing.
a. 1691. Bp. T. Barlow, Rem., 159 (T.). Their schoolmen, casuists, and controversy-writers have so mixed Aristotle’s philosophy with their divinity.
