logomachy

American  

[loh-gom-uh-kee] / loʊˈgɒm ə ki /

noun

logomachies plural

1. a dispute about or concerning words.

2. an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.

3. a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.

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logomachy British  

/ lɒˈɡɒməkɪ /

noun

1. argument about words or the meaning of words

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• logomachical
  adjective
• logomachist
  noun
• logomach
  noun
• logomachic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• logomachies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of logomachy

First recorded in 1560–70; from Greek logomachía; see origin at logo-, -machy

Explanation

A fight about words is called logomachy. You don't have to be an etymologist to find yourself caught up in logomachy, but you have to care about words and their meanings. You and your word-loving friends might engage in logomachy, if you argue about the Latin and Sanskrit roots of your favorite words. There's not much to disagree on when it comes to the rare word logomachy itself, though — in Greek, logos means "word," and the suffix -machy always means "battle" or "contest," from the Greek makhe, or "fight."

Example Sentences

This was just the beginning of the logomachy.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2012

We are today solid enough, balanced enough, sure enough of ourselves not to be impressed either by logomachy* or gesticulations ...

From Time Magazine Archive

Sandra also got logomachy, while Dana got triskelion and cuproiodar-gyrite.

From Time Magazine Archive

The balderdash of philosophers and scholars, the logomachy of the Middle Ages, thenceforth held absolute sway.

From Against the Grain by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)

Such lumbering logomachy is always injurious and oppressive to men of spirit, imagination or intellectual honour, and it has dealt very recklessly and wrongly with Bernard Shaw.

From George Bernard Shaw by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)