Con*ten"tious (?), a. [L.
contentiosus: cf. F. contentieux.]
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.
Spenser.
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.