eristic
[e-ris-tik]
- Also er·is·ti·cal. pertaining to controversy or disputation; controversial.
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- a person who engages in disputation; controversialist.
- the art of disputation.
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Origin of eristic
1630–40; < Greek eristikós, equivalent to erist(ós) (verbid of erízein, derivative of éris discord) + -ikos -ic
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
belligerentcombativecontentiouscontroversialdisputatiouslitigiousquarrelsomescrappytestyExamples from the Web for eristic
Historical Examples
Here, then, is a double indication of the connexion of the Parmenides with the Eristic school.
ParmenidesPlato
Lucian's references to the school are as eristic or argumentative.
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4Lucian of Samosata
According to Aristotle himself, therefore, the Dialectician is agonistic and eristic, just as much as the Sophist.
AristotleGeorge Grote
Here again we catch a glimpse rather of a Socratic or Eristic than of a Sophist in the ordinary sense of the term.
SophistPlato
He belonged to the fighting class, and was further distinguished as a hero of debate, who professed the eristic art.
SophistPlato
eristic
- of, relating, or given to controversy or logical disputation, esp for its own sake
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- a person who engages in logical disputes; a controversialist
- the art or practice of logical disputation, esp if specious
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Word Origin
C17: from Greek eristikos, from erizein to wrangle, from eris discord
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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