altercor, ātus, 1, v. dep. [alter], 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, Ap. Met. 2, 3, 18; 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.