To make a subject of dispute, contention, litigation,
or emulation; to contend for; to call in question; to controvert; to
oppose; to dispute.

To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to
defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground.

To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit;
to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert.

To engage in contention, or emulation; to contend; to
strive; to vie; to emulate; – followed usually by with.

Earnest dispute; strife in argument; controversy; debate;
altercation.

Earnest struggle for superiority, victory, defense, etc.;
competition; emulation; strife in arms; conflict; combat; encounter.