Controvert, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Controverted; p.pr. & vb.n. Controverting.]
Etymology: [See Controversy.]
To make matter of controversy; to dispute or oppose by reasoning; to contend against in words or writings; to contest; to debate. Some controverted points had decided according to the sense of the best jurists. Macaulay.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for controvert; he lists it under reason.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.