con·tro·ver·sy   (kŏn'trə-vûr'sē)    n.   pl. con·tro·ver·sies A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views. See Synonyms at argument. The act or practice of engaging in such disputes: writers skilled at controversy. [Middle English controversie, from Latin contrōversia, from contrōversus, disputed : contrō- (variant of contrā, contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.]

Controversy

Con"tro*ver`sy\, n.; pl. Controversies. [L. controversia, fr. controversus turned against, disputed; contro- = contra + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]

1. Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.

This left no room for controversy about the title. --Locke.

A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing. --Johnson.

2. Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference.

The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. --Jer. xxv. 31.

3. A suit in law or equity; a question of right. [Obs.]

When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment. --2 Sam. xv. 2.

Syn: Dispute; debate; disputation; disagreement; altercation; contention; wrangle; strife; quarrel.

controversy 

Main Entry: con·tro·ver·sy
Pronunciation: 'kän-tr&-"v&r-sE British also k&n-'trä-v&r-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -sies
1 : a state of dispute or disagreement controversy shall exceed twenty dollars —U.S. Constitution amendment VII>
2 : a civil action involving a real and immediate dispute between parties with adverse interests
NOTE: Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives the judiciary the power to decide cases and controversies. Article III's limitation of the judicial power to cases or controversies requires that an action brought in the federal court involve parties with standing to sue and questions that are ripe and not moot. —con·tro·ver·sial /"kän-tr&-'v&r-sh&l, -'v&r-sE-&l/ adjective