Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-BATE', n. [Fr. debat; Sp. debate; Port. id; de and battre, to beat.]

1. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for elucidating truth; strife in argument or reasoning, between persons of different opinions, each endeavoring to prove his own opinion right, and that of his opposer wrong; dispute; controversy; as, the debates in parliament or in congress.
2. Strife; contention. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate. – Is. lviii.
3. The power of being disputed; as, this question is settled beyond debate; the story is true beyond debate.
4. Debate or debates; the published report of arguments for and against a measure; as, the debates in the convention are printed.