\Al`ter*ca"tion\ (?; 277), n. [F. altercation, fr.
L. altercatio.]
Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or
anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. ``Stormy
altercations.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: {Altercation}, {Dispute}, {Wrangle}.
Usage: The term dispute is in most cases, but not
       necessarily, applied to a verbal contest; as, a
       dispute on the lawfulness of war. An altercation is an
       angry dispute between two parties, involving an
       interchange of severe language. A wrangle is a
       confused and noisy altercation.
             Their whole life was little else than a
             perpetual wrangling and altercation. --Hakewill.