polemic
[puh-lem-ik, poh-]
- a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
- a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.
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- Also po·lem·i·cal. of or relating to a polemic; controversial.
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Origin of polemic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for polemic
Contemporary Examples
Grizzard said he knew early on that the study might be received as polemic.
He scoffed as Abu Hassar began to roll into this Islamist polemic.
But mixed with that portion of truth is a larger portion of polemic and apologetic.
But neither is it a rigorous sociological study or a polemic or a jeremiad.
Headlines in France on Wednesday said the pop singer "avoided a clash," "calmed the polemic," "gave up," or even "gave in."
Historical Examples
It is in the dialogue form he often adopted for polemic writing.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, CompleteAlbert Bigelow Paine
It is not so much in the polemic or in the scholar we are interested, as in the man.
Andrew MelvilleWilliam Morison
But he possessed other accomplishments beside those of the polemic.
Western CharactersJ. L. McConnel
My agnosticism was bitter in those days, bitter and polemic.
A Tramp's NotebookMorley Roberts
That is to say, hypotheses are admissible in polemic, but not in the sphere of dogmatism.
The Critique of Pure ReasonImmanuel Kant
polemic
- of or involving dispute or controversy
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- an argument or controversy, esp over a doctrine, belief, etc
- a person engaged in such an argument or controversy
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Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin polemicus, from Greek polemikos relating to war, from polemos war
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for polemic
n.
1630s, "controversial argument or discussion," from French polémique (16c./17c.), noun use of adjective meaning "disputatious, controversial" (see polemic (adj.)).
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adj.
1640s, from French polémique (from Middle French polemique) "disputatious, controversial," or directly from Greek polemikos "of war, warlike, belligerent; skilled in war, fit for service; like an enemy, stirring up hostility," from polemos "war," of unknown origin. Related: Polemical (1630s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper