argument

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie

   the editor added the argument to the poem

2. 2
   noun

   a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

   It was a strong argument that the hypothesis was true.

3. 3
   noun

   a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal

   the argument over foreign aid goes on and on

4. 4
   noun

   A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

   There is no greater, at leaſt no more palpable and convincing Argument of the Exiſtence of a Deity than the admirable Art and Wiſdom that diſcovers itſelf in the make and conſtitution, the order and diſpoſition, the ends and uſes of all the parts and members of this ſtately fabrick of Heaven and Earth.

5. 5
   noun

   A process of reasoning; argumentation.

   Indeed, I cannot commend my life; for I am conſcious to my ſelf of many failings: therein, I know alſo that a man by his converſation, may ſoon overthrow what by argument or perſwaſion he doth labour to faſten upon others for their good: […]

6. 6
   noun

   An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.

   If I would broach the veſſels of my loue, / And try the argument of hearts, by borrowing, / Men, and mens fortunes, could I frankely vſe / As I can bid thee ſpeake.

7. 7
   noun

   A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

   The neighbours got into an argument about the branches of the trees that extended over the fence.

8. 8
   noun

   Any dispute, altercation, or collision.

   Steve got in a physical argument with his neighbor and came away with a black eye.

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin arguō Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-məntom Latin -mentum Latin argūmentum Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin argūmentorder. Old French argumenterbor. Middle English argumenten English argument The obsolete senses are derived from Middle English argumenten (“to argue, discuss; to consider, reflect”), from Old French argumenter (“to argue”), from Latin argūmentārī (“to adduce arguments or proof, prove, reason; to adduce (something)…