Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Argument?

\Ar"gu*ment\, n. [F. argument, L. argumentum, fr. arguere to argue.] 1. Proof; evidence. [Obs.] There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. --Ray. Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion? --South. 2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it. 3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation. The argument is about things, but names. --Locke. 4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem. You and love are still my argument. --Shak. The abstract or argument of the piece. --Jeffrey. [Shields] with boastful argument portrayed. --Milton. 5. Matter for question; business in hand. [Obs.] Sheathed their swords for lack of argument. --Shak. 6. (Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction. 7. (Math.) The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends. --Brande & C.
\Ar"gu*ment\ ([a^]r"g[-u]*ment), v. i. [L. argumentari.] To make an argument; to argue. [Obs.] --Gower.
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