What does it mean to "litigate"?

To litigate refers specifically to the process of carrying on a legal contest through the judicial system. This means that when parties have a dispute, they take it to a court of law where the matter can be resolved through legal procedures and judgments. It involves filing legal documents, participating in court hearings, and potentially going to trial, with the outcome being determined by a judge or jury.

The other options do not accurately represent the legal process associated with litigation. Resolving a conflict privately or negotiating a settlement denotes alternative dispute resolution methods, which are generally outside the courtroom. Appealing a case refers to seeking a higher court's review of a lower court's decision, which comes after litigation has occurred and is a separate phase of the judicial process. Therefore, option B correctly encapsulates the definition of litigation within the legal framework.