Meaning

• To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

• To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

• To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

• To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.

  "In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used."