See Also: argument(medicine)
Argument(law)
argument(1)(dictionary)
argument(2)(dictionary)
argument(dictionary)
Closing Argument(law)
ARGUMENT LIST(law)
ARGUMENT, practice(law)
transcendental argument(encyclopedia)
ontological argument(encyclopedia)

argument(2) (iou)



argument noun. ME.
[Old & mod. French from Latin argumentum, from arguere: see ARGUE, -MENT.]
A connected series of statements or reasons intended to establish a position; a process of reasoning or disputation; argumentation. ME.
b. spec. Any of a number of lines of reasoning that seek to prove the existence of God. E19.
argument from design, cosmological argument, ontological argument, etc.
A statement or fact advanced to influence the mind; a reason urged in support of a proposition. Formerly spec. in Logic, the middle term in a syllogism. LME.
Henry More But that the Beast that was, and is not, is not the Devil, we shall now evince by other arguments. C. M. Yonge Well provided with golden arguments. F. L. Wright To hold snow on the roof is always a good, wise provision and a good argument for a flat roof.
Proof, evidence; a token, an indication. arch. LME.
T. Sheridan Beating the Desk and biting of Nails were Arguments of taking Pains.
Math. etc. An independent quantity (orig., Astronomy, an angle) on which the value of a function depends or on which an operator acts. LME.
a. Statement of the pros and cons of a proposition; discussion, debate (esp. contentious); a verbal dispute, a quarrel. L15.
Milton In argument with men a woman ever Goes by the worse. Shaftesbury So intent in upholding their own side of the argument. K. Amis Just assume for the sake of argument that he's a fake. V. S. Pritchett Grandmother, Grandfather and Father were shouting in angry argument across the table, about God and 'that Eddy woman'. A. Hailey Their discussion..had quickly developed into an argument.
b. Subject of contention. L16-E17.
Shakespeare Henry V And sheath'd their swords for lack of argument.
Subject, theme of debate or discussion, either verbal or written. L15-M19.
Disraeli The throbbing deed Shall make thy name a household argument.
A summary of the subject-matter of a book; an index, table (of contents), etc. arch. M16.
Pope Argument to Book the First.
argu'mental adjective (now rare) L16.