The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Debate \De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Debating.] [OF. debatre, F. d['e]battre; L. de + batuere
   to beat. See Batter, v. t., and cf. Abate.]
   1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.
      [1913 Webster]

            Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner,
            and the cause of religion was debated with the same
            ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
                                                  --Prescott.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to
      maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss;
      to argue for and against.
      [1913 Webster]

            A wise council . . . that did debate this business.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov.
                                                  xxv. 9.

   Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See Argue, and
        Discuss.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Debate \De*bate"\, v. i.
   1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            Well could he tourney and in lists debate.
                                                  --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to
      consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the
      mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
      [1913 Webster]

            He presents that great soul debating upon the
            subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
                                                  --Tatler.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Debate \De*bate"\, n. [F. d['e]bat, fr. d['e]battre. See
   Debate, v. t.]
   1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic]
      [1913 Webster]

            On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great
            debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . .
            . fourscore.                          --R. of
                                                  Gloucester.
      [1913 Webster]

            But question fierce and proud reply
            Gave signal soon of dire debate.      --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the
      purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife
      in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or
      in Congress.
      [1913 Webster]

            Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate. --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Subject of discussion. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

debate
    n 1: a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against
         some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign
         aid goes on and on" [syn: argument, argumentation,
         debate]
    2: the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the
       opposition to it (usually followed by a vote) [syn: debate,
       disputation, public debate]
    v 1: argue with one another; "We debated the question of
         abortion"; "John debated Mary"
    2: think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the
       possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your
       mind" [syn: consider, debate, moot, turn over,
       deliberate]
    3: discuss the pros and cons of an issue [syn: debate,
       deliberate]
    4: have an argument about something [syn: argue, contend,
       debate, fence]