logomachy

American  

[loh-gom-uh-kee] / loʊˈgɒm ə ki /

noun

plural

logomachies

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

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

Etymology

Origin of logomachy

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

Example Sentences

His florid vocabulary — he has casually dropped words like logomachy — sounds official without actually saying much.

From New York Times

Sweeping the subject-matter clear of all logomachies, he lets the light of common day fall upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

But a greater champion than William was needed to wipe away what seems to the world the cobwebs of mediæval logomachy.

From Project Gutenberg

The debate thus turns on a question of terminology—that is to say, on a vain and barren logomachy.

From Project Gutenberg

Later Lutherans treated the controversy as a useless logomachy.

From Project Gutenberg