con·tend   (kən-těnd')    v.   con·tend·ed, con·tend·ing, con·tends v.   intr. To strive in opposition or against difficulties; struggle: armies contending for control of strategic territory; had to contend with long lines at the airport. To compete, as in a race; vie. To strive in controversy or debate; dispute. See Synonyms at discuss. v.   tr. To maintain or assert: The defense contended that the evidence was inadmissible. [Middle English contenden, from Latin contendere : com-, com- + tendere, to stretch, strive; see ten- in Indo-European roots.] con·tend'er n.

Contend

Con*tend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Contended; p. pr. & vb. n. Contending.] [OF. contendre, L. contendere, -tentum; con- + tendere to strech. See Tend.]

1. To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

For never two such kingdoms did contend Without much fall of blood. --Shak.

The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle. --Deut. ii. 9.

In ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valor. --Shak.

2. To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

You sit above, and see vain men below Contend for what you only can bestow. --Dryden.

3. To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

The question which our author would contend for. --Locke.

Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial. --Dr. H. More.

Syn: To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive; oppose; emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate.

contend