controversy

From Old French controversie, from Latin contrōversia (“debate, contention, controversy”), from contrōversus (“turned in an opposite direction”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒntɹəvɜːsi/ (most common);[1]IPA^(key): /kənˈtɹɒvəsi/ (older, less common) [2]
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈkɑntɹəˌvɝsi/

controversy (countable and uncountable, plural controversies)

1. A debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife.
   • 2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport‎:

     The game was engulfed in controversy when Rodwell appeared to win the ball cleanly in a midfield challenge with Suarez. The tackle drew an angry response from Liverpool's players- Lucas in particular as Suarez writhed in agony - but it was an obvious injustice when the England Under-21 midfielder was shown the red card.

• See also Thesaurus:dispute

• controversial

• controversialist
• controvert
• controverter
• controvertible

• controversy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• controversy in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.