Latin: In the civil and canon law. Contestation of suit; the process of contesting a suit by the opposing statements of the respective parties; the process of coming to an issue; the attainment of an issue; the issue itself. In the practice of the ecclesiastical courts. The general answer made by the defendant, in which he denies the matter charged against him in the libel. Hallifax, Civil Law, b. 3, c 11, no. 9. In admiralty practice. The general issue. 2 Browne, Civil & Adm. Law, 358, and note.