controversy etymology

Etymology:

  • Late Middle English (circa 1300): from Old French controverse, from Medieval Latin controversia, from Latin controversia 'dispute, debate', from controversus, past participle of controverto 'turn against' (literally 'turn around'), from controverto, from contro 'against' + verto 'turn'

Meaning:

  • a dispute or disagreement, typically a public one.
  • the expression of opposing views or arguments on a particular issue.

Origin:

The word "controversy" comes from the Latin word "controversia", which means "a dispute or debate". This word is derived from the verb "controvertere", which means "to turn against" or "to dispute". The word "controvertere" is itself derived from the prefix "contra", which means "against", and the verb "vertere", which means "to turn".

The word "controversy" first appeared in English in the late Middle English period (circa 1300). It was borrowed from the Old French word "controverse", which had the same meaning. The word "controversy" has been used in English ever since to refer to a dispute or disagreement, typically a public one.

controversy relate terms

  • contra

    Etymology The word contra is derived from the Latin prefix contra meaning against

  • controversary

    Etymology Latin controversia dispute quarrel French controverse Old French cont

  • controversy

    Etymology Late Middle English circa 1300 from Old French controverse from Medieval

  • contention

    Etymology Middle English contencioun from Old French contencion Old French from Lati

  • disputation

    Etymology The word disputation is derived from the Latin word disputare which means

  • tilt

    Etymology The word tilt has its origins in the Old French word tilter which means t

  • decide

    Etymology Decide derived from the Latin verb decidere which means to cut off to

  • difference

    Etymology Difference comes from the Old French word dif f érence which in turn deriv

  • cause

    Etymology The word cause derives from the Old French word cause which itself comes f

  • regency

    Etymology The word regency originates from the Latin word regere which means to gu

  • dispute

    Etymology The word dispute originates from the Latin word disputare which means to

  • fight

    Etymology From Middle English fighten fighte from Old English feohtan to fight f

  • reformist

    Etymology Latin reformare to reform shape again French réforme Middle English