challenge

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Challenged p. pr. & vb. n. Challenging. ] [ OE. chalengen to accuse, claim, OF. chalengier, chalongier, to claim, accuse, dispute, fr. L. calumniar to attack with false accusations. See Challenge, n., and cf. Calumniate. ] 1. To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy. [ 1913 Webster ]

I challenge any man to make any pretense to power by right of fatherhood. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat. [ 1913 Webster ]

By this I challenge him to single fight. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To claim as due; to demand as a right. [ 1913 Webster ]

Challenge better terms. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To censure; to blame. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He complained of the emperors . . . and challenged them for that he had no greater revenues . . . from them. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mil.) To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with “Who comes there?” [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Law) To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To challenge to the
array, favor, polls. See under Challenge, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To assert a right; to claim a place. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where nature doth with merit challenge. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be challenged. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. having doubts expressed about its truth.
Syn. -- disputed, questioned. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. handicapped or disabled; -- used as a euphemism, especially in combinations; as, physically challenged; mentally challenged. [ PJC ]