Con"tro*ver`sy (?), n.; pl. Controversies (#). [L. controversia, fr. controversus turned against, disputed; contro- = contra + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.] 1. Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.
This left no room for controversy about the title.
Locke.
A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing.
Johnson.