contest
Definitions
A competition in which people try to win
比赛，竞赛
A struggle for power, control, or victory
争夺，角逐
To compete for something, such as a seat or title
争夺，角逐（席位、头衔等）
To formally dispute or challenge the validity of something
对……提出异议，质疑（其有效性）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together) + test (bear witness) = to 'call witnesses together,' i.e. to bring a dispute before a tribunal where both sides summon evidence. That legal clash widened into any struggle to win, then into a friendly competition. The old 'dispute' sense survives too: you can contest a will or contest an election.
Root test still carries 11 more wordsUsage Guide
- Stress shift: CON-test (noun, the competition) vs con-TEST (verb, to compete for or dispute).
- The verb has two distinct senses that share a form: 'compete for' (contest a seat) and 'challenge/dispute' (contest the results, contest a will). Context decides which.
- 'Uncontested' often means a position no one challenged — an uncontested election, an uncontested divorce.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She won first prize in the photography contest.
- 2.
Five candidates are contesting the seat in this election.
- 3.
The family decided to contest the old man's will.
- 4.
It was a close contest between the two teams.