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alterco

quarrel

noun al-TER-koh Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: From Latin altercatio, from altercari (to dispute).

Also means

altercation

Usage Note

Alterco is a somewhat formal word for a heated verbal dispute or quarrel. It is more restrained than lite (fight, row) and implies an exchange of sharp words rather than violence. The plural is alterchi (the c becomes ch before -i to preserve the hard sound).

Examples

"Un breve alterco ha interrotto la riunione."

Natural Translation

A brief quarrel interrupted the meeting.

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