1. A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views. See synonyms at argument.
2. The act or practice of engaging in such disputes: writers skilled at controversy.

[Middle English controversie, from Latin contrōversia, from contrōversus, disputed : contrō- (variant of contrā, contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere, to turn.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.