Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON'TRO-VERT, v.t. [L. controverto, controversor; contra and verto, verso, to turn. Literally, to turn against.]

To dispute; to oppose by reasoning; to contend against in words or writings; to deny and attempt to disprove or confute; to agitate contrary opinions; as, to controvert opinions or principles; to controvert the justness of a conclusion.