Con·ten·tious a.
 1. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.
    Despotic and contentious temper.   --Macaulay.
 2. Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention.
    More cheerful, though not less contentious, regions.   --Brougham.
 3. Law Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.
 Contentious jurisdiction Eng. Eccl. Law, jurisdiction over matters in controversy between parties, in contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, or that exercised upon matters not opposed or controverted.
 Syn: -- Quarrelsome; pugnacious; dissentious; wrangling; litigious; perverse; peevish.
 -- Con*ten*tious*ly, adv. -- Con*ten*tious*ness, n.

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