Dictionary.com
definitions

eristic

[e-ris-tik]
See more synonyms for eristic on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. Also er·is·ti·cal. pertaining to controversy or disputation; controversial.
noun
  1. a person who engages in disputation; controversialist.
  2. the art of disputation.

Origin of eristic

1630–40; < Greek eristikós, equivalent to erist(ós) (verbid of erízein, derivative of éris discord) + -ikos -ic
Related formser·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for eristic

belligerent, combative, contentious, controversial, disputatious, litigious, quarrelsome, scrappy, testy

Examples from the Web for eristic

Historical Examples of eristic

  • Here, then, is a double indication of the connexion of the Parmenides with the Eristic school.

  • Lucian's references to the school are as eristic or argumentative.

  • According to Aristotle himself, therefore, the Dialectician is agonistic and eristic, just as much as the Sophist.

    Aristotle

    George Grote

  • Here again we catch a glimpse rather of a Socratic or Eristic than of a Sophist in the ordinary sense of the term.

    Sophist

    Plato

  • He belonged to the fighting class, and was further distinguished as a hero of debate, who professed the eristic art.

    Sophist

    Plato

British Dictionary definitions for eristic

eristic

adjective Also: eristical
  1. of, relating, or given to controversy or logical disputation, esp for its own sake
noun
  1. a person who engages in logical disputes; a controversialist
  2. the art or practice of logical disputation, esp if specious

Word Origin for eristic

C17: from Greek eristikos, from erizein to wrangle, from eris discord
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012