Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Debate \De*bate"\, v. i.
   1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

            Well could he tourney and in lists debate.
                                                  --Spenser.

   2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to
      consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the
      mind; -- often followed by on or upon.

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

Debate \De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debated}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Debating}.] [OF. debatre, F. d['e]battre; L. de + batuere
   to beat. See {Batter}, v. t., and cf. {Abate}.]
   1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.

            Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner,
            and the cause of religion was debated with the same
            ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
                                                  --Prescott.

   2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to
      maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss;
      to argue for and against.

            A wise council . . . that did debate this business.
                                                  --Shak.

            Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov.
                                                  xxv. 9.

   Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See {Argue}, and
        {Discuss}.

Debate \De*bate"\, n. [F. d['e]bat, fr. d['e]battre. 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.

Source : WordNet®

debate
     n 1: a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against
          some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign
          aid goes on and on" [syn: {argument}, {argumentation}]
     2: the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated
        proposition (usually followed by a vote) [syn: {disputation},
         {public debate}]

debate
     v 1: argue with one another; "We debated the question of
          abortion"; "John debated Mary"
     2: think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the
        possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your
        mind" [syn: {consider}, {moot}, {turn over}, {deliberate}]
     3: discuss the pros and cons of an issue [syn: {deliberate}]
     4: have an argument about something [syn: {argue}, {contend}, {fence}]