logomachy
Americannoun
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logomachies
plural
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a dispute about or concerning words.
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an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.
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a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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."
Vocabulary lists containing logomachy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
But I am forced to think that, as they are generally stated, they can lead to nothing but logomachy.
From Social Rights and Duties, Volume I (of 2) Addresses to Ethical Societies by Sir Leslie Stephen
Certain influences took the wind out of Seward's sails, and as a naughty, arrogant boy, he was left behind to bite his nails, and to pour out a logomachy.
From Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863 by Adam G. de Gurowski, Count
This “confusion of words” thickened, till the Jesuits introduced in this logomachy with the Jansenists papal bulls, royal edicts, and a regiment of dragoons!
From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Isaac Disraeli
Wit is not thy strong point, friend Arnelm; and yet it is strange that in the sharp encounter of ready tongues and idle logomachies thou hast sometimes the advantage.
From Vivian Grey by Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
Can any words more exactly describe the political reasonings of Mr Mill than those in which Lord Bacon thus describes the logomachies of the schoolmen?
From Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 2 by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay
Abstract discussions about person, nature and union of natures soon degenerate into logomachies.
From Monophysitism Past and Present A Study in Christology by A. A. (Arthur Aston) Luce
Sometimes, perhaps, they will lose themselves in endless subtleties and logomachies and construct cobwebs of the brain, predestined to the rubbish-heap of extinct philosophies.
From Social Rights and Duties, Volume I (of 2) Addresses to Ethical Societies by Sir Leslie Stephen
And to be told that, in putting aside these logomachies, he is depriving himself of intellectual and moral comfort, is for the rationalist no perturbing experience.
From Rationalism by J. M. (John Mackinnon) Robertson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
