GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Contention , n. [F. contention, L. contentio. See Contend.]
   A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist, something; contest; strife.
   1913 Webster
   I would my arms could match thee in contention.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel; dispute; as, a bone of contention.
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   Contentions and strivings about the law.
   Titus iii. 9.
   
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   Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal.
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   An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain.
   Rogers.
   
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   A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or strife; a position taken or contended for.
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   All men seem agreed what is to be done; the contention is how the subject is to be divided and defined.
   Bagehot.
   
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   This was my original contention, and I still maintain that you should abide by your former decision.
   Jowett.
   Syn. -- Struggle; strife; contest; quarrel; combat; conflict; feud; litigation; controversy; dissension; variance; disagreement; debate; competition; emulation.  -- Contention, Strife. A struggle between two parties is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the possession of some desired object, or the accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there may be a generous strife or contention between two friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a struggle arising from bad passions. In that case, strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and contention from, a selfish spirit which seeks its own aggrandizement, or is fearful lest others should obtain too much. Strife has more reference to the manner than to the object of a struggle, while contention takes more account of the end to be gained.
   1913 Webster