Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TEST', v.t. [Fr. contester, to dispute. The Sp. and Port. contestar, and L. contestor, have a different sense, being equivalent to the Eng. attest. See Test.]

1. To dispute; to strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend. The troops contested every inch of ground.
2. To dispute; to argue in opposition to; to controvert; to litigate; to oppose; to call in question; as, the advocate contested every point. None have contested the proportion of these ancient pieces. – Dryden.