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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

con·ten·tious       (kən-těn'shəs)  Pronunciation Key  adj.   Given to contention; quarrelsome. See Synonyms at argumentative, belligerent. Involving or likely to cause contention; controversial: "a central and contentious element of the book" (Tim W. Ferguson). con·ten'tious·ly adv., con·ten'tious·ness n.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

contentious
adjective
1.	inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits; "a style described as abrasive and contentious"; "a disputatious lawyer"; "a litigious and acrimonious spirit"
2.	involving or likely to cause controversy; "a central and contentious element of the book"- Tim W.Ferfuson

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Contentious

Con*ten"tious\, a. [L. contentiosus: cf. F. contentieux.]

1. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.

Despotic and contentious temper. --Macaulay.

2. Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention. --Spenser.

More cheerful, though not less contentious, regions. --Brougham.

3. (Law) Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.

Contentious jurisdiction (Eng. Eccl. Law), jurisdiction over matters in controversy between parties, in contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, or that exercised upon matters not opposed or controverted.

Syn: Quarrelsome; pugnacious; dissentious; wrangling; litigious; perverse; peevish. -- Con*ten"tious*ly, adv. -- Con*ten"tious*ness, n.