argumentn.
/ˈɑːɡjᵿm(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˈɑrɡjəmənt/ 1. Proof, evidence, manifestation, token. (Passing from clear proof in early, to proof presumptive in later usage; cf. argue v. 3) archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [noun] > evidence given, testimony > piece of
tokenOE
witnessa1325
samplec1380
argumentc1384
weda1400
reporta1425
testimonial1495
notea1555
testimony1597
vouchera1616
attestate1630
manifesto1644
deposition1648
vouchee1657
testatur1702
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds i. 3 To which and he ȝaf hym silf alyue..in manye argumentis, or prouyngis.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys 53 I wante the argumentes of a man.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. iii. 222 It is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her follie. View more context for this quotation
1678 Spanish Hist. 91 Flight is not then an argument of a bad Conscience.
1728 T. Sheridan in tr. Persius Satyrs i. 20 (note) Beating the Desk and biting of Nails were arguments of taking Pains.
1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. 251 To remove the two Giants..would be a greater Argument of Taste than fixing them up.
2. Astronomy and Mathematics. The angle, arc, or other mathematical quantity, from which another required quantity may be deduced, or on which its calculation depends.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > astronomical calculation > [noun] > part
argumentc1405
astronomicalsa1690
element1788
parameter1829
perturbative function1856
luminosity function1924
Hubble constant1933
Oort constant1941
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > particular qualities > other
digitusa1398
argumentc1405
geodeticala1690
known quantity1702
amicable number1743
summability1900
idempotent1903
modularity1927
repunit1964
palindrome1972
seed1972
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 569 Hise othere geris As been his centris and hise argumentz.
a1500 (?1397) G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Digby 72) (1872) ii. Suppl. §44. 54 (heading) To knowe the mene mote & þe argumentis of any planete.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (new ed.) I. 141/2 Annual argument of the moon's apogee..is the distance of the sun's place from the place of the moon's apogee.
1879 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait Treat. Nat. Philos. (new ed.) I: Pt. i. §54 An arc of the circle referred to..is the Argument of the harmonic motion.
3.
a. A statement or fact advanced for the purpose of influencing the mind; a reason urged in support of a proposition; spec. in Logic, the middle term in a syllogism. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > [noun] > elements of
problem1656
argument1724
fallacy1725
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > [noun] > middle term
medium1587
mean1599
middle term1605
argument1724
middle1826
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 178 Clerkes wol seyn as hem leste By argumentz that al is for the beste.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 118 Why replye not ye to this argument.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxiii. 3 To pleate my cause before him, and to fyll my mouth with argumentes.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 313 It is most certaine, apparant, and manifest by all coniecture, reasons, proofes and arguments ad hominem.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 338 But that the Beast that was, and is not, is not the Devil, we shall now evince by other arguments.
1724 I. Watts Logick iii. ii. §7 The middle term..is often called the Argument, because the force of the syllogisms depends upon it.
c1790 T. Reid Let. in Wks. I. 81/2 It is a good argument ad hominem, against the scheme of Necessity held by Hume.
1858 C. M. Yonge Cameos xlv, in Monthly Packet Mar. 234 Well provided with golden arguments.
1865 J. B. Mozley 8 Lect. Miracles viii. 187 Anything is an argument which naturally and legitimately produces an effect upon our minds, and tends to make us think one way rather than another.
b. Const. (to obsolete), for, a conclusion; hence (of later origin) against the contrary.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > [noun]
reasonc1230
skill1303
argumentc1374
motivec1443
enarrative1575
dispute1593
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 466 Argumentis to this conclusion, That she on hym wold have compassion.
1643 J. Burroughes Expos. Hosea (1652) i. 7 It is a great argument to obedience to know it is the word of the Lord that is spoken.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. iii. 349 The arguments for and against the preservation of trial by jury.
c. In certain phrases borrowed from the formal terminology of the schools, the Latin argumentum is in current use, esp. in argumentum ad hominem. argumentum e (or ex) silentio, an argument from silence: used of a conclusion based on lack of contrary evidence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > logical argument > [noun] > types of logical argument
enthymeme1570
argumentum ad hominem1690
dialogism1880
argumentum e (or ex) silentio1934
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iv. xvii. 347 To press a Man with Consequences drawn from his own Principles, or Concessions..is already known under the Name of Argumentum ad Hominem. [Cf. quot. 1602 and quot. c1790 at sense 3a.]
1934 A. Toynbee Study of Hist. II. 274 This argumentum ex silentio does not, of course, go very far.
1939 L. H. Gray Found. Lang. iv. 99 We perceive that the absence of a common designation in the Indo-European period for a given concept or thing by no means necessarily implies the non-existence of that concept or thing at that period. The argumentum e silentio is notoriously fragile.
1962 Listener 6 Sept. 364/2 Doesn't Dr. Needham..give the Chinese the benefit of a doubt, sometimes, with an argumentum e silentio?
4. A connected series of statements or reasons intended to establish a position (and, hence, to refute the opposite); a process of reasoning; argumentation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > [noun] > sequence of arguments
argument1393
seriec1405
reasoning?a1425
argumentation1548
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 139 To trete upon this jugement Made eche of hem his argument.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum i. lxvii. 248 Therfore lat vs fle the wordle..and by good argument we shulle haue the kyngdome of Heuene.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande ii. f. 7/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I Truly this argument hangeth togyther by very straunge gymbols.
1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 18 By the like argument is the angle ICH = ABH.
a1704 T. Brown Table-talk in Wks. (1707) I. ii. 36 You're out in your Argument.
1877 W. Lytteil Landmarks Sc. Life & Lang. i. iv. 35 To recapitulate the successive steps of the argument.
5. † b. transferred. Subject of contention, or debate. Obsolete.
a. Statement of the reasons for and against a proposition; discussion of a question; debate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > [noun]
mootingOE
disputinga1225
mootc1225
sputingc1250
disputisounc1290
arguingc1385
sputisounc1390
debate1393
determinationc1400
luyte1477
disputation1489
dispicion?1510
argumenta1513
plead?a1513
traversing1524
dispicience1531
ruffle1532
debatement1536
argumentationa1538
debating1548
pro et contraa1554
canvassing1565
litigation1567
toil1597
discussion1598
tongue-work1598
agitation1600
canvass1611
fence1637
contestation1638
dispute1638
tongue-fence1643
actitation1661
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > [noun] > instance of
argumenta1513
reasoning1611
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxxviii. f. cxlix Than ye stryfe..was brought in argument before the Pope.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 102 How did this argumet [sic; 1623 argument] begin? View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 903 In argument with men a woman ever Goes by the worse. View more context for this quotation
1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks II. v. 305 So intent in upholding their own side of the Argument.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xvii. 207 The greater part of them [sc. such difficulties] are advanced merely for the sake of argument.
ΚΠ
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xxii. §9. 554 Much argument of quarrell ministred, betweene them and the Townesmen.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. i. 21 And sheath'd their Swords, for lack of argument . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun]
thingeOE
evenOE
questionc1225
purposec1350
themec1380
mattera1387
reasonc1390
substancea1393
chapter1393
occasion1426
titlec1450
intentc1460
article1531
place1532
scope1549
subject1563
argumenta1568
string1583
matter subject1586
subject matter1587
qu.1608
haunt1622
seat1628
object matter1653
business1655
topic1728
locus1753
sub1779
ground1796
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [noun] > matter for discussion
questionc1225
pointc1300
propositiona1382
conclusion1393
positiona1398
motivec1400
move1439
gainsay1559
moot point1563
argumenta1568
prop1607
contention1635
corollary1636
hypothesis1669
discursivea1676
contestation1880
submission1884
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of debate or discussion
proposec1350
purposec1350
propositiona1382
problema1387
conclusionc1400
state of the causea1525
question1549
argumenta1568
thesis1579
disquisition1605
problem1645
consultation1663
consult1683
propos1816
issue1836
chat1861
debating point1927
battleground1931
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) Pref. to Rdr. How to write in this kinde of Argument.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. iii. 3 It would be argument for a week. View more context for this quotation
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 284 And the argument shall bee thy running away. View more context for this quotation
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vii. 205 He grew the Argument of all Tongues, every Man enquiring who, and what He was.
1791 Stormont Monody Pr. Wales i Should woo the British muse..To strains of bitter argument.
1834 B. Disraeli Revolutionary Epick iii. vii. 168 The throbbing deed..Shall make thy name a household argument, Familiar with their voices.
7. The summary or abstract of the subject matter of a book; a syllabus; figurative the contents.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun] > synoptical statement
abstract1436
titling1465
capitulation1523
aphorism1528
argument1535
table1560
analysis1588
the brief1601
abstractive1611
synopsis1611
method1614
synopsy1616
modela1626
scheme1652
syllabus1653
précis1760
summing up1795
aperçu1828
conspectus1839
vidimus1884
auto-abstract1892
standfirst1972
1535 Goodly Primer (1848) 290 The argument into the xxivth psalm. In this psalm David singeth all things to be the Lord's; etc.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 176 If I would..try the argument of hearts, by borrowing. View more context for this quotation
1735 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) 65 Argument to Book the First.
1824 J. Johnson Typographia I. 165 Orations, which with the argument..take up nineteen leaves.
Draft additions 1997
b. Mathematics and Computing. An independent variable of a function (e.g. x and y in z = f(x, y)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [noun] > expression > function > value or set of values of
maximum1646
minimum1646
nullity1710
modulus1843
argument1865
zero1873
range1891
extremum1904
interpolate1920
1865 W. T. Brande & G. W. Cox Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art I. 768 Any trigonometrical function of ϕ is termed an elliptic function, having the argument u and modulus k.
1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 818/1 In each case u is the independent variable or argument of the function.
1946 Nature 12 Oct. 503/2 The ENIAC has three function tables..,each of which comprises an array of switches on which 6-figure values of two functions, with signs, or a 12-figure value of one function, can be set up for each of 104 values of an argument.
1974 A. V. Aho et al. Design & Anal. Computer Algorithms i. 37 After a function procedure has been defined, it can be invoked in an expression by using its name with the desired arguments.
1984 Computerworld 5 Mar. 54 Use of Boolean commands to connect a segment search argument with the next argument list in the..search field list.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† argumentv.
Obsolete.
1. intransitive. To adduce arguments, argue, reason.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > argue, dispute, discuss [verb (intransitive)]
mootOE
sannc1175
sputea1225
argue1303
argumentc1320
strive1340
proceedc1390
reason?c1425
to roll the stone1581
argumentate1586
discuss1587
litigate1606
canvass1631
argumentizea1641
to take by the beard1809
dudgeon1859
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > reason, ratiocinate [verb (intransitive)]
argumentc1320
reason1551
discourse1599
ratiocinate1643
rationate1644
logicize1835
to think straighta1916
c1320 Seuyn Sages (W.) 195 The fifte yer, he gan argument Of the sterre, and of the firmament.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 377 Thus argumentyd he.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 194 Thus they argument for the horns of Elephants.
1637 G. Gillespie Dispute against Eng.-Popish Ceremonies ii. ix. 42 We argument also from the Scandall of them.
2. To give evidence, furnish proof, that.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)]
i-sothea925
soothec950
fanda1000
kitheOE
betell1048
showc1175
prove?c1225
treousec1275
stablisha1325
approve1340
verifyc1386
justifya1393
tryc1412
answer?a1425
appreve?c1450
to make gooda1470
convictc1475
averifyc1503
arguea1513
find1512
pree1515
comprobate1531
demonstrate1538
conclude1549
convince1555
argument1558
evict1571
avoucha1593
evidencea1601
remonstrate1601
clear1605
attaint1609
monstrate1609
evince1610
evince1611
improve1613
remonstrance1621
to make out1653
ascertain1670
to bring off1674
to make (something) to through1675
render1678
substantiatea1691
establisha1704
to bring out1727
realize1763
validate1775
1558 Q. Kennedy Compendius Tractiue v. sig. C.ii Albeit that it apperteneth to the apostolis..It argumentis not yat vtheris quha hes conuenit sensyne in generale counsales had the spreit of God.
3. To furnish with arguments or syllabuses. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > summarize or abridge [verb (transitive)] > furnish with synopsis
argument1611
1611 H. Broughton Require of Agreement 52 He [sc. Homer] caused both workes to be argumented by 24. verses.
4. transitive. To make the subject of argument or debate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)]
laya1387
proposea1398
stirc1400
move1452
propound?1531
broach1579
start1579
moot1685
to set up1697
argument1747
1747 E. M. da Costa in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 44 406 As for the regular Figure of the Belemnites being excepted against, I believe few Fossilists will argument that.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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