verb

litigate

LIT-ih-gayt/ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/

To pursue a dispute through legal proceedings.

The company chooses to litigate the dispute rather than settle.

A civil courtroom dispute: opposing attorneys address a robed judge from separate counsel tables, one presenting evidence and the other contesting it.

Etymology

litLatinlawsuit, dispute

+igLatindrive forward

+ateLatinpast participle ending

A lawsuit combined with “drive forward” gives the original image of actively carrying on a suit. That image underlies pursuing or contesting a matter in court.

In context

This Week in Startups36:26

… you can't really litigate these patents and even if you were to get them you don't have the legal departments to litigate them …

- Startups - David Sacks of Yammer - TWiST #245

More examples

Both sides agree to negotiate before they litigate.
The neighbors litigated their property dispute for years.
Litigating a claim can cost more than settling it.

Forms

litigate · litigates · litigated · litigating

litigation noun — The process of pursuing a legal dispute.

litigant noun — A person or group involved in a lawsuit.

Similar words

sue: Focuses on bringing a claim against another party.
contest: Means challenging a claim, not necessarily through legal proceedings.