1. (n.) An invitation to engage in a contest or controversy of any kind; a defiance; specifically, a summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.

2. (n.) The act of a sentry in halting any one who appears at his post, and demanding the countersign.

3. (n.) A claim or demand.

4. (n.) The opening and crying of hounds at first finding the scent of their game.

5. (n.) An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a certain person or persons shall not sit in trial upon him or his cause.

6. (n.) An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote. The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered.

7. (n.) To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy.

8. (n.) To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat.

9. (n.) To claim as due; to demand as a right.

10. (n.) To censure; to blame.

11. (n.) To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with Who comes there?

12. (n.) To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.

13. (n.) To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.

14. (n.) To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter.

15. (v. i.) To assert a right; to claim a place.