Part 59

He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.

Tatler.

De*bate", n. [F. débat, fr. débattre. See Debate, v. t.] 1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic]

On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore.

R. of Gloucester.

But question fierce and proud reply Gave signal soon of dire debate.

Sir W. Scott.

2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.

Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate.

Pope.

3. Subject of discussion. [R.]

Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.

Milton.

De*bate"ful (?), a. Full of contention; contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.] Spenser.

De*bate"ful*ly, adv. With contention. [Obs.]

De*bate"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. debatement a beating.] Controversy; deliberation; debate. [R.]

A serious question and debatement with myself.

Milton.

De*bat"er (?), n. One who debates; one given to argument; a disputant; a controvertist.

Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters.

Shak.

De*bat"ing, n. The act of discussing or arguing; discussion.

Debating society or club, a society or club for the purpose of debate and improvement in extemporaneous speaking.

De*bat"ing*ly, adv. In the manner of a debate.

De*bauch" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Debauched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Debauching.] [F. débaucher, prob. originally, to entice away from the workshop; pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + OF. bauche, bauge, hut, cf. F. bauge lair of a wild boar; prob. from G. or Icel., cf. Icel. blkr. See Balk, n.] To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to seduce; as, to debauch one's self by intemperance; to debauch a woman; to debauch an army.

Learning not debauched by ambition.

Burke.

A man must have got his conscience thoroughly debauched and hardened before he can arrive to the height of sin.