Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for CON-TEN'TION
CON-TEN'TION, n. [L. contentio. See Contend.]
- Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel. Multitudes lost their lives in a tumult raised by contention among the partisans of the several colors. – Adam.
- Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy. Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law. – Tit. iii. A fool's lips enter into contention. Prov. xviii.
- Strife or endeavor to excel; emulation. – Shak.
- Eagerness; zeal; ardor; vehemence of endeavor. [Obs.] This is an end worthy of our utmost contention to obtain. – Rogers.
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