Contention

n. [Lat. contentio, Fr. contention, Sp. contencion, It. contenzione, Pr. contenso, O. Fr. contençon. See CONTEND.]

1. A violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim, or injury; contest; quarrel. “Fierce contention.” Milton. “A study which requires effort and contention of mind.” Whewell.
2. Strife in debate; controversy; altercation.

Contentions and strivings about the law. Titus iii. 9. 3. Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal. “An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain.” Rogers. Syn.—Struggle; strife; contest; litigation; controversy; quarrel; conflict; feud; dissension; variance; disagreement; debate; competition; emulation; discord.—CONTENTION, STRIFE. A struggle between two parties is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the possession of some desired object, or the accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there may be a generous strife or contention between two friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a struggle arising from bad passions. In that case, strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and contention from a selfish spirit which seeks its own aggrandizement, or because it is fearful lest others should obtain too much. By these acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, How hast thou disturbed heaven’s blessed peace! Milton. Contention bold, with iron lungs, And Slander, with her hundred tongues. Moore.