contend
Definitions
To compete or struggle in order to achieve something
竞争，争夺；抗争
To assert or argue that something is the case
声称，主张（某事属实）
To deal with a difficulty (contend with)
应付，对付（contend with）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (with, against) + tend (stretch) = "to stretch against" — two forces pulling in opposite directions, like a tug-of-war. From this image come both branches: contending with rivals (competing, struggling) and contending that something is true (pushing your claim against opposition).
Root tend still carries 40 more wordsWhy It Means This
Contend comes from Latin contendere, "to stretch with/against." Picture two people straining at opposite ends of a rope: that tension is the heart of the word. The "struggle" sense (contend for the title) and the "argue" sense (he contends that the data is flawed) are the same pull, once physical, once verbal. Note it is unrelated to content (satisfied), which comes from the hold root tenēre.
Common Collocations
- 1.contend with应付，对付
- 2.contend for争夺
- 3.contend that主张，声称
Example Sentences
- 1.
Three teams are contending for the championship this year.
- 2.
The lawyer contended that the evidence was unreliable.
- 3.
Small businesses have to contend with rising costs.