I.to have a discussion or difference with another, to dispute; to wrangle, quarrel, etc. (constr. cum aliquo, inter se, and alicui with acc. and absol.).
I. In gen.: cur illa hic mecum altercata est? Pac. ap. Non. 470, 7: “Labienus altercari cum Vatinio incipit,” Caes. B. C. 3, 19: “mulierum ritu inter nos altercantes,” Liv. 3, 68.—Once with acc.: “dum hunc et hujusmodi sermonem altercamur,” App. M. 2, p. 115, 40: nimium altercando veritas amittitur, P. Syr. ap. Gell. 17, 14.—
II. Esp., in rhet. lang., to strive to gain the victory over an opponent in a court of justice by putting questions for him to answer (cf. altercatio, II.): “Crassus in altercando invenit parem neminem,” in crossexamining, Cic. Brut. 43.—Hence poet., in gen, to contend, struggle with: altercante libidinibus pavore, * Hor. S. 2, 7, 57.
