(verb) : dis-pŭto, āvi, ātum, 1, and
* A.
* Orig. in mercant. lang., to cast or reckon up, to calculate a sum by going over its items; to estimate, compute: ubi disputata est ratio cum argentario,Plaut. Aul. 3, 5, 55.
* Transf. beyond the mercant. sphere, to weigh, examine, investigate, treat of, discuss a doubtful subject, either by meditating or (more commonly) by speaking upon it (good prose; very freq. in Cicero's philos. and rhet. writings; cf. for syn.: dissero, discepto); constr. usual. with accus. of neutr. pron. or with de and abl. (cf. Krebs, Antibarb. p. 372): in meo corde eam rem volutavi et diu disputavi,Plaut. Most. 1, 2, 4: ea, quae disputavi, disserere malui quam judicare,Cic. N. D. 3, 40 fin.: neque haec in eam sententiam disputo, ut, etc.,id. de Or. 1, 25, 117: aliquid pro tribunali multis verbis,id. Fam. 3, 8, 3: hoc,id. Tusc. 1, 34, 83 et saep.: (Druides) multa de sideribus atque eorum motu, etc.... disputant,Caes. B. G. 6, 14 fin.: de moribus, de virtutibus, de re publica,Cic. Rep. 1, 10: de omni re in contrarias partes,id. de Or. 1, 34, 158: cf. Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 3 fin.; id. Fam. 11, 27 fin.; Caes. B. C. 1, 86, 3: ab his, qui contra disputant,Cic. Rep. 1, 3; cf. id. ib. 1, 18: non inscite ad ea disputat, quae, etc.,id. Tusc. 3, 9; cf. id. ib. 1, 4, 7; id. Rep. 1, 16: quale sit de quo disputabitur,id. ib. 1, 24: disputatur in consilio a Petreio et Afranio,Caes. B. C. 1, 67 et saep.: nunc utriusque disceptator eccum adest, age disputa,i. e. relate, tell,Plaut. Most. 5, 2, 16; cf. id. Rud. 3, 4, 13: rem alicui,i. e. to state, represent,id. Men. prol. 50.—With acc. and inf.: isti in eo disputant, Contaminari non decere fabulas,i. e. maintain,Ter. And. prol. 15 Ruhnk.
* In late Lat.
* To discuss, preach: in synagoga,Vulg. Act. 17, 17; 18, 4; 20, 9.
* To dispute, contend in words: quis eorum major esset,Vulg. Marc. 9, 33: cum diabolo,id. Jud. 9.

s. TLL