[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

contentious \conten"tious\, a. l. contentiosus: cf. f.
   contentieux.
   1. fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking
      dispute or contention; quarrelsome.
      1913 webster

            despotic and contentious temper.      --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   2. relating to contention or strife; involving or
      characterized by contention. --spenser.
      1913 webster

            more cheerful, though not less contentious, regions.
                                                  --brougham.
      1913 webster

   3. law contested; litigated; litigious; having power to
      decide controversy.
      1913 webster

   contentious jurisdiction eng. eccl. law, jurisdiction
      over matters in controversy between parties, in
      contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, or that
      exercised upon matters not opposed or controverted.

   syn: quarrelsome; pugnacious; dissentious; wrangling;
        litigious; perverse; peevish. -- conten"tiously,
        adv. -- conten"tiousness, n.
        1913 webster
see also:
contentious jurisdiction voluntary jurisdiction conten"tiously conten"tiousness 

[2] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

contentious jurisdiction, eccl. law. in those cases where there is an action 
or judicial process, and it consists in hearing and determining the matter 
between party and party, it is said there is contentious jurisdiction, in 
contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, which is exercised in matters 
that require no judicial proceeding, as in taking probate of wills, granting 
letters of administration, and the like. 3 bl. com. 66. 

Jurisdiction >> J Words
Jurisdiction, definition of term: Jurisdiction
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Contentious >> C Words
Contentious, definition of term: Contentious
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