logomachy
Americannoun
plural
logomachies-
a dispute about or concerning words.
-
an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.
-
a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.
noun
Other Word Forms
- logomach noun
- logomachic adjective
- logomachical adjective
- logomachist noun
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.
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
If his life had been destined to be prolonged I should have done all in my power to have induced him to occupy himself more with observation and less with mere logomachy.
From Alfred Russel Wallace: Letters and Reminiscences, Vol. 2 by Marchant, James
More fascinating still, perhaps, are the word-master’s conversations with Jasper; most wonderful of all, in the opinion of many, is his logomachy with Ursula under the thorn bush.
From Isopel Berners The History of certain doings in a Staffordshire Dingle, July, 1825 by Seccombe, Thomas
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.
