argument
- an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument.
- a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.
- a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn't follow his argument.
- a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.
- an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
- subject matter; theme: The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.
- an abstract or summary of the major points in a work of prose or poetry, or of sections of such a work.
- Mathematics.
- an independent variable of a function.
- Also called amplitude.the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.
- the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates.Compare principal argument.
- Computers. a variable in a program, to which a value will be assigned when the program is run: often given in parentheses following a function name and used to calculate the function.
- Obsolete.
- evidence or proof.
- a matter of contention.
Origin of argument
Synonym study
Related Words for argument
squabble, clash, exchange, brawl, disagreement, controversy, feud, altercation, dispute, debate, quarrel, bickering, case, claim, contention, discussion, assertion, reasoning, reason, pleaExamples from the Web for argument
Contemporary Examples of argument
I remember that after the movie, people were saying how depressing it was, and I started an argument with them.
The argument now is how to limit certain types of plays that banks can make under certain circumstances.
This is where I think the argument against me falls off the cliff.
History itself has been aptly described as an argument un-ended.
Obama and the Democrats have embraced the argument that suburbs and sprawl are bad for you.
Historical Examples of argument
How I closed the argument—the conversation and the interview—and escaped from her, I know not.
But Jeff Rankin swept all argument away with a movement of his big paws.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
The man assented to her argument, and went to look out the two beds she wanted.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
And always, in response to every argument, Mary shook her head in negation.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
It was evident that Dick perceived the futility of argument.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
argument
- a quarrel; altercation
- a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debatethe argument on birth control will never be concluded
- (sometimes plural) a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
- a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
- logic
- a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
- formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
- logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
- maths
- an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
- the amplitude of a complex number
Word Origin and History for argument
early 14c., "statements and reasoning in support of a proposition," from Old French arguement "reasoning, opinion; accusation, charge" (13c.), from Latin argumentum "evidence, ground, support, proof; a logical argument," from arguere "to argue" (see argue). Sense passed through "subject of contention" to "a quarrel," a sense formerly attached to argumentation.
Idioms and Phrases with argument
argument
see under pick a quarrel.