D defs.my
Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913

Altercation

/älˌ-tẽrk-āsh'-ən/ · Al·ter·ca·tion · IPA /ˌɔltɚˈkeɪʃən/
01 n. Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.
  1. 1.
    Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.
    “Their whole life was little else than a perpetual wrangling and altercation.” — Hakewill.
Syn. Altercation, Dispute, Wrangle.
The term dispute is in most cases, but not necessarily, applied to a verbal contest; as, a dispute on the lawfulness of war. An altercation is an angry dispute between two parties, involving an interchange of severe language. A wrangle is a confused and noisy altercation.