(a) To quarrel; ~ togeder; ~ for, quarrel about (sb. or sth.); ~ with, quarrel (with sb.); ppl. strivinge, quarreling; also, quarrelsome; (b) to be engaged in a dispute; debate, argue; ~ togeder; ~ abouten (for, of), argue or debate about (sb. or sth.); discuss (sth.); ~ ayenes (with), argue with (sb.); ?also, carry on a discussion with (sb.) [quots. a1382 (1st) & a1425(c1384)]; (c) with clause as obj.: to argue about (sth.), dispute; have internal debate (with oneself) about (sth.); argue for (sth.), contend; ~ togeder; (d) ?to remonstrate (with sb. that he should do sth.).

(a) To engage in a confrontation, contend, be hostile or belligerent; contend (for sth., land, an office, etc.); ?also, be angry [quot. a1393]; ?contend with (sb.) [quot. ?a1425]; (b) ~ ayen (ayenes, mid, with, yen), to contend or work against (sb.); be in conflict with (sb.); ?be angry with (sb.) [quots. c1300 Horn & c1395]; rebel or act mutinously against (God or a pagan deity); strivinge with, contentious or hostile toward (sb.); (c) to be defiant, gainsay; offer resistance; also, object; ~ ayen; in prep. phrases: ~ ayen (ayenes, with, yen), oppose (sth.), defy (fate, nature, divine will, truth, etc.); also, persist with (one's judgment or opinion), insist on [quot. a1500 Chartier].

To contend (with sb.) in a lawsuit; plead or argue (for a right or privilege); ~ to, refute or challenge (a legal claim).

(a) To engage in combat, fight; ~ ayen (ayenes, with), fight against (sb.), wage war; (b) to engage in a brawl or physical struggle, tussle, scuffle; endure physical adversity; of devils: wrestle (for the soul of the dead); ~ ayenes (with), fight or wrestle with (sb.); struggle physically against (sth.); contend with (an illness); (c) ~ on (with), to abuse (sb.) physically, assault; (d) of a natural element: to clash (with another); of a body of water: be stirred up, rage; of a wave: crash (on a boat); of a storm: rage (against sb. in a boat); strivinge stremes, rushing or raging currents; (e) to engage in spiritual or mental struggle; of the spirit and the flesh, emotions, etc.: be in conflict, clash, contend; ~ togeder; ~ ayen (ayenes, with), contend spiritually against (the flesh, world, etc.); wrestle mentally with (oneself, one's feeling, heart, etc.); of the body: struggle against (the spirit); of a sin, vice, etc.: contend against (sb., virtue); ~ for (upon), struggle spiritually for (Christ, faith, righteousness); (f) ~ a strife, to fight a battle; engage in a spiritual struggle; (g) ~ abak, to push (sb.) back in battle; -- ?error for driven abak, s.v. driven v. 1a.(a).

(a) To participate in an athletic contest or a competition; compete (with sb., God, an animal); ~ togeder for (in), compete in (an activity); (b) with clause as obj.: to carry on a competition to determine (sth.); (c) ~ with, to be equal to (an animal in an action); match (sth.), rival, vie with; also, with clause as obj.: vie with (sth.) in (sth.).

(a) To make an endeavor, try; ~ for (abouten), exert oneself for (sth.); ~ of, ?try to achieve (martyrdom), strive for; (b) to make an effort (to do sth.), endeavor, try; (c) of a kingdom: ?to exert itself; ?grow; -- ?error for thriven v.

In misc. proverbs and sayings.