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