Language Note: A derivative of the word dispute; from Middle English, from Old French desputer, from Latin disputare - to discuss, examine; from "dis" plus "putare" - to reckon. Date: 1660. A discussion may be called disputatious, and so may a subject about which people disagree, but normally we use the word to describe individuals. For example, Beethoven was the first composer of genius who dared to be disputatious with the European nobles who were the source of his income. Trial lawyers often cultivate a disputatious style.