Main Entry: con·tro·ver·sy

Pronunciation: \ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē, British also kən-ˈträ-vər-sē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural con·tro·ver·sies

Etymology: Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin controversia, from controversus disputable, literally, turned against, from contro- (akin to contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

Date: 14th century

1 : a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute
2 : quarrel, strife