contend Copy link Outline I. To strive or strive against1. contendo, di, sum and tum, 3 (with cum, contra, inter and pron. reflect.)2. certo, 1 (usu. with cum; also inter; and poet. dat. alone)3. dĕcerto, 1 (stronger than certo4. dēcerno, crēvi, crētum, 35. cerno, 3 (less freq. and chiefly poet.)6. luctor, 17. pugno, 18. congrĕdior, conflīgoII. To use earnest efforts for anything1. lăbōro, 1 (usu. with prep., or ut and subj.)2. nītor, ēnītor, 3III. To dispute earnestlyIV. To maintain • contend: I. To strive or strive against: 1. contendo, di, sum and tum, 3 (with cum, contra, inter and pron. reflect.): in riches and expense, not in uprightness and industry, they c. with their ancestors, divitiis et sumptibus, non probitate neque industria, cum majoribus suis contendunt, Sall.: bulls c. against lions in defence of their calves, tauri pro vitulis contra leones c., Cic.: these (nations) c.'d with each other for the supremacy, hi de potentatu inter se contendebant, Caes. 2. certo, 1 (usu. with cum; also inter; and poet. dat. alone): to c. for empire with the Roman people, de imperio cum P. R. c., Cic.: very often absol.: to c. in war, bello c., Liv.; acie c., Virg.: to c. with any one in wit, cum aliquo dicacitate c., Cic.: in similar sense, de virtute c., Sall. with acc. of neut. pron. (see L. G. § 253): if you c. about aught with him for judge, si quid se judice certes, Hor.: v. to vie. 3. dĕcerto, 1 (stronger than certo: to c. for the mastery, decisively): to c. in battle with very brave nations, proeliis cum acerrimis nationibus d., Cic.: they c.'d in Italy for empire with two generals, cum duobus ducibus de imperio in Italia decertatum est, Cic. 4. dēcerno, crēvi, crētum, 3: chiefly in special phrases: to c. in arms, armis decernere, Cic.: they c. in races, cursibus decernunt, Virg.: to c. in battle, acie decernere, Liv. 5. cerno, 3 (less freq. and chiefly poet.): to c. with the sword, c. ferro, Virg.: to c. in defence of one's country, pro patria c., Sall. 6. luctor, 1: v. to struggle. 7. pugno, 1: v. to fight. 8. congrĕdior, conflīgo: v. to engage, encounter. See also to contend against. II. To use earnest efforts for anything: 1. lăbōro, 1 (usu. with prep., or ut and subj.): to c. against anything being done, l. ne quid fiat, Cic.; also, in, de, re aliqua c., Cic.: v. to exert oneself. 2. nītor, ēnītor, 3: v. to strive. III. To dispute earnestly: dīglădior, pugno, verbis certo, etc.: v. to dispute. IV. To maintain: confirmo, affirmo, contendo, dēfendo: v. to maintain.