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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• logomachies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of logomachy

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

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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

See Examples For:

logomachy logomachies

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 the nominalists and the realists, and the doctores fundatissimi, resolutissimi, refulgentes, profundi, and extatici, have left this heirloom of logomachy to a race as subtle and irrefragable!

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Isaac Disraeli

The literary duels between Hobbes and another hero celebrated in logomachy, the Catholic priest, Thomas White, have been recorded by Wood.

From Calamities and Quarrels of Authors by Isaac Disraeli

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

First of all, I conceive that, as I have indicated, a really scientific habit of thought would dispel many hopeless logomachies.

From Social Rights and Duties, Volume I (of 2) Addresses to Ethical Societies by Sir Leslie Stephen

They wander wearily through the mazes of psychological detail or wage almost childish logomachies over the interpretation of each other's essays.

From Essays Towards a Theory of Knowledge by Alexander Philip

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

He had exploded the scholastic system, which had become a mere mass of logomachies and an incubus upon scientific progress.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume I. by Sir Leslie Stephen

Both the adverse parties triumphed; that is usual in these logomachies; but the Romanists account for the success of the Reformed by the circumstance that their judges were Reformers.

From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Isaac Disraeli

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