-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

81 / 371

noun

contention

kun-TEN-shun/kənˈtenʃn/

The pressing of a position against opposition.

The proposed tax increase remains a source of contention.

Two colleagues dispute the same written claim in a report.

Etymology

conLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly

+tentLatinstretch, extend; direct toward

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Stretching or exerting oneself became striving against an opponent, then maintaining a claim. A contention is what someone argues for; the prefix here may be intensive.

In context

Filip Magnus9:23

one point of contention is that heinlein's view on women in the future isn't much more advanced than bestlies

Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein (Book Review) | Filip Reads the Hugos

More examples

Parking is a bone of contention between the neighbors.
Her main contention is that the policy treats workers unfairly.
A win tonight keeps the team in contention for the championship.

Forms

contention · contentions

contend verb — To argue a position or compete.

contentious adjective — Likely to cause disagreement or argument.

Similar words

dispute: Emphasizes disagreement over a particular issue rather than competition.
competition: Emphasizes rivalry for success rather than opposing arguments.
assertion: Names a claim without necessarily implying opposition or debate.