Basic Details
Word: Disputation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Formal argument or debate on a subject, especially between scholars or experts.
Synonyms: debate, argument, dispute, controversy
Antonyms: agreement, consensus
Word origin: From Latin disputatio, from disputare, to discuss or argue.
How to Spell Disputation
Syllables: dis - pu - ta - tion
Tricky part: The second syllable is pu, with a u as in dispute, not pi. The end is tation, with tion.
Watch out for: dispitation, disputasion, disputacion
Memory tip: Hold on to the u of dispute: dis-PU-ta-tion. A dispute argued out formally, by the rules, becomes a disputation.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The debate club spent a whole term on disputation and public speaking.
Example 2: After hours of disputation, the committee still could not agree.
Example 3: Their friendly disputation over chess openings went on every lunch break.
Fun Fact
In medieval universities in Europe, students were tested through public disputation, arguing for or against a statement in front of their teachers.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt wrongly. Choose its meaning:
1. arbitration 2. negotiation 3. reconciliation 4. dispitation
a) a formal debate or argument
b) settling a quarrel through a neutral judge
c) talks aimed at reaching an agreement
d) becoming friends again after a quarrel
Show answer
a) a formal debate or argument. Dispitation swaps the u of dispute for an i, so it is the misspelt word.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
disputtation
a) n
b) t
c) p
d) s
Show answer
b) t. Dispute has one t before the e, and so the longer noun has a single t there too.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word disputation as used in the sentence:
The two scholars spent the evening in lively disputation about the date of the old temple.
a) research
b) agreement
c) debate
d) prayer
Show answer
c) debate. A debate is an exchange of arguments, which is what the scholars were having.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A disputation is most like ____.
a) a quiet nap
b) a short walk
c) a formal debate
d) a lucky guess
Show answer
c) a formal debate
2. Disputation comes from which verb?
a) disrupt
b) dispose
c) dispute
d) display
Show answer
c) dispute
