Date: 1500-1600 Language: Old French Origin: desputer, from Latin disputare 'to discuss', from putare 'to think' dispute2 verb dis???pute21 [transitive] to say that something such as a fact or idea is not correct or true: The main facts of the book have never been disputed. dispute that Few would dispute that travel broadens the mind.2 [intransitive and transitive] formal to argue or disagree with