查询结果:

n. (尤指在公共场合的)争论,争执 

来源于拉丁语alter(异,其它), altercus(争论的)、拉丁语动词altercari(争论,争吵)过去分词altercatus、拉丁语altercatio(一次争论)宾格altercationem。

拆分: -alter-异,其它 + -c- + -ation名词词尾 

例:
I had an altercation with the ticket collector. 我和检票员争执了一番。 
Throughout the entire altercation, not one sensible word was uttered. 争了半天,没有一句话是切合实际的。