con·tend / kənˈtend/ • v. 1. [intr.] (contend with/against) struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger): she had to contend with his uncertain temper. ∎  (contend for) engage in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve (something): the local team should contend for a division championship. 2. assert something as a position in an argument: he contends that the judge was wrong.DERIVATIVES: con·tend·er n.

contend XV. — OF. contendre or L. contendere, f. CON- + tendere stretch; see TEND 2.
So contention XIV. — (O)F. contention or L. contentiō, -ōn-, f. content-, pp. stem of contendere. contentious XV. — (O)F. contentieux — L. contentiōsus.