what is a challenge?

Dear vistasss-ga:

What an intriguing question. I think it would be to safe to call your
question a "challenge." =)

Well, let's get the standard sources out of the way first. Here's the
Webster's dictionary definition taken from Dictionary.com:

challenge:

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

3. A claim or demand. 

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

5. (Law) 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. --Blackstone

6. An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote. The
challenge must be made when the ballot is offered. [U. S.] "

There are more definitions from other sources at dictionary.com.
http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=challenge

No doubt you have already looked up this definition already, so none
of these  I believe really answers your question.

A challenge can be many, many things. A challenge can be the death of
a baby ( http://home.ptd.net/~blnelson/FacingtheChallenge.htm ), a
mental handicap ( http://www.teenchallenge.com/ ), or overcoming an
addiction ( http://www.challenges-program.com/ ).

For me personally, a challenge can be a puzzle. (
http://www.jigsawjungle.com/code/braints.htm ) A challenge to me is
figuring why you asked this question, and what kind of answer you are
looking for. ( https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=10030
)

A challenge is something that is difficult to overcome. (
http://www.lifesplaybook.com/program/guide/lesson5.html ) I think the
most important thing that any one can say about the word "challenge"
though, is that it makes us stronger. (
http://www.psybersquare.com/me/me_psych_muscle.html ) These and more
are what I think a challenge is.


Search Terms Used:

   challenge
   ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=challenge

   overcoming challenges
   ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=overcoming+challenges



I don't know what kind of response I will receive for this answer, but
I'm sure there will be plenty of comments posted below. If you need
any clarifications (which is more than likely), or if you weren't
satisfied with my answer, please don't hesitate to ask for a
clarification. I would be more than happy to do some more searching,
thinking, and writing on the subject. =)

Best Regards,
blader-ga

Here's another "challenge".

The "Challenge", hull number ATA-201, was a US Navy ATA-174 class
ocean-going tug launched in 1944 and sold for scrap in 1976 after 32
years of service. Here is her US Navy record:
http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/ATA201.htm

Ships of this class were designed as all-weather support vessels for
naval combat forces. Additional history and specifications of the
"Challenge (ATA-201)" can be found here:

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
ATR-128 / ATA-201 Challenge
http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/38201.htm

History -
- Sotoyomo Class Auxiliary Fleet Tug
- Planned and authorized as Rescue Ocean Tug (ATR-128)
- Reclassified: Auxiliary Fleet Tug (ATA-201),15 May 1944
- Builder: Levingston Shipbuilding Company*, Orange, Texas (Owner:
Edgar William Brown, Jr.)
- Renamed USS Challenge (ATA-201), 16 July 1948; 
- Struck from the Naval Register, 1 September 1962
- Sold for scrap, 1 October 1976

Specifications -
- Displacement: 860 tons (fully loaded)
- Length: 143 feet
- Beam: 34 feet
- Draft: 15 feet
- Speed: 13 knots
- Propulsion: diesel-electric engines with single screw.
- Crew: 7 Officers, 42 Enlisted
- Armament: one single 3"/50 gun mount; two twin 40mm gun mounts

Apparently there's no photo of the "Challenge (ATA-201)" available,
but she probably looked similar to a sister ship of the same period,
the "Undaunted (ATA-199)":
http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/093819901.jpg

The "Challenge (ATA-201)" was preceded by 40 years by another tug, the
"Challenge (No. 1015)":
http://www.multied.com/Navy/Tug/Challenge.html

*Interestingly enough, Levingston Shipbuilding also built the "Glomar
Challenger" (not to be confused with the "Glomar Explorer" of Project
Jennifer notoriety -- see
http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/jennifer.htm). The "Glomar
Challenger" was a research drillship which began the first phase of
the National Science Foundation's "Deep Sea Drilling Project" of the
late 1960's (http://www-odp.tamu.edu/glomar.html).

Just FYI,
huntsman-ga