The trial, in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, promises to be a complex and contentious affair, with four distinct sides working sometimes together and sometimes at cross purposes.

Under Charles VII, a subcouncil appeared to handle particularly contentious judicial affairs.

If familiarity breeds contempt, then today's championship games of the Public Schools Athletic League boys' and girls' tournaments should be contentious affairs.

But because such vital and contentious affairs are at stake, township elections are potentially more destabilizing, say experts in China's rural affairs.

The Democratic primary, which is tantamount to election in Manhattan, has already become a crowded, contentious affair with the candidates seeking to portray themselves as capable of winning broad-based support.

Under Charles VII, a subcouncil of the King's council appeared to handle particularly contentious affairs.

"Oh, when was an insurrection ever such a contentious and tenuous affair?"

The meeting, which was packed by members opposed to Dr. Gibson, was a contentious affair.

This contentious affair invites the speculation that the Accademia Filarmonica was set up specifically in opposition to Cazzati and his followers.