Dictionary
con•tend
Pronunciation: (kun-tend'), [key]—
v.i.
1. to struggle in opposition:
to contend with the enemy for control of the port.
2. to strive in rivalry; compete; vie:
to contend for first prize.
3. to strive in debate; dispute earnestly:
to contend against falsehood.
—
v.t.
to assert or maintain earnestly:
He contended that taxes were too high. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.