argument


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ar·gu·ment

 (är′gyə-mənt)
n.
1.
a. A discussion in which the parties involved express disagreement with one another; a debate: philosophical arguments over the nature of existence.
b. An angry discussion involving disagreement among the participants; a quarrel: The roommates had an argument about whose turn it was to wash the dishes.
c. Archaic A reason or matter for dispute or contention: "sheath'd their swords for lack of argument" (Shakespeare).
2.
a. A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood: presented a strong argument for the arts in education.
b. A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason: The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now.
c. A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.
3.
a. A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.
b. A topic; a subject: "You and love are still my argument" (Shakespeare).
4. Logic The minor premise in a syllogism.
5. Mathematics
a. The independent variable of a function.
b. The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.
6. Computers A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.
7. Linguistics A word, phrase, or clause in a semantic relation with a word or phrase and that helps complete the meaning of that word or phrase, such as a noun phrase that is the object of a verb. The clause that we go is an argument of the verb suggest in the sentence I suggest that we go.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin argūmentum, from arguere, to make clear; see argue.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

argument

(ˈɑːɡjʊmənt)
n
1. a quarrel; altercation
2. a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate: the argument on birth control will never be concluded.
3. (sometimes plural) a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
4. a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
5. (Logic) logic
a. a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
b. formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
6. (Logic) logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
7. (Mathematics) maths
a. an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
b. the amplitude of a complex number
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ar•gu•ment

(ˈɑr gyə mənt)

n.
1. an oral disagreement; contention; altercation.
2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate.
3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons.
4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: a strong argument.
5. discourse intended to persuade.
6. subject matter; theme.
7. an abstract or summary of the major points of a literary work or sections of such a work.
8. Math.
a. an independent variable of a function.
b. Also called amplitude. the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.
c. the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates.
[1325–75; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin argūmentum. See argue, -ment]
syn: argument, controversy, dispute imply the expression and discussion of differing opinions. An argument usu. arises from a disagreement between two persons, each of whom advances facts supporting his or her point of view: an argument over a debt. A controversy is usu. a public expression of contrary opinions; it may be dignified and of some duration: a political controversy. A dispute is an oral contention, usu. brief, and often of an angry or undignified character: a heated dispute between neighbors.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

discussion

argument
1. 'discussion'

If you have a discussion with someone, you have a serious conversation with them.

After the lecture there was a lively discussion.

You say that you have a discussion about something or a discussion on something.

We had long discussions about our future plans.
We're having a discussion on nuclear power.
2. 'argument'

Don't use discussion to refer to a disagreement between people, especially one that results in them shouting angrily at each other. This kind of disagreement is usually called an argument.

We had a terrible argument, and now she won't talk to me.
I said no, and we got into a big argument over it.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.argument - a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is trueargument - a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true; "it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true"
evidence - an indication that makes something evident; "his trembling was evidence of his fear"
proof - a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it
counterargument - an argument offered in opposition to another argument
pro - an argument in favor of a proposal
con - an argument opposed to a proposal
case - a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument; "he stated his case clearly"
clincher, determiner, determining factor - an argument that is conclusive
adducing - citing as evidence or proof
last word - the final statement in a verbal argument; "she always gets the last word"
specious argument - an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious
2.argument - a contentious speech actargument - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
difference of opinion, dispute, difference, conflict - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats"
argle-bargle, argy-bargy - a verbal dispute; a wrangling argument
firestorm - an outburst of controversy; "the incident triggered a political firestorm"
sparring - an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
polemic - a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
fight - an intense verbal dispute; "a violent fight over the bill is expected in the Senate"
3.argument - a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposalargument - a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on"
give-and-take, discussion, word - an exchange of views on some topic; "we had a good discussion"; "we had a word or two about it"
logomachy - argument about words or the meaning of words
4.argument - a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie; "the editor added the argument to the poem"
summary, sum-up - a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form; "he gave a summary of the conclusions"
5.argument - (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program
value - a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed; "the value assigned was 16 milliseconds"
computer science, computing - the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures
address, computer address, reference - (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
6.argument - a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variableargument - a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable
variable quantity, variable - a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
7.argument - a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning"
abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning - thinking that is coherent and logical
line of inquiry, line of questioning - an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument
casuistry - argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
policy - a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government; "they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

argument

noun
1. reason, case, reasoning, ground(s), defence, excuse, logic, justification, rationale, polemic, dialectic, line of reasoning, argumentation There's a strong argument for lowering the price.
3. quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, controversy, disagreement, misunderstanding, feud, barney (informal), squabble, wrangle, bickering, difference of opinion, tiff, altercation She got into a heated argument with a stranger.
quarrel accord, agreement, concurrence
without argument without question, without debate, without confusion, without dispute, without query, without contention He complied without argument.
Quotations
"Argument seldom convinces anyone contrary to his inclinations" [Thomas Fuller Gnomologia]
"The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress" [Joseph Joubert Pensées]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

argument

noun
1. A discussion, often heated, in which a difference of opinion is expressed:
Informal: hassle, rhubarb, tangle.
2. A course of reasoning:
3. A fact or circumstance that gives logical support to an assertion, claim, or proposal:
ground (often used in plural), proof, reason, wherefore, why.
Idiom: why and wherefore.
4. What a speech, piece of writing, or artistic work is about:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
جِدَالخِلاف، نِزاعمُناقَشَه، جِدال
argumenthádkapřespor
skænderiargumentargumentation
argumenttikiistaperusteluriitaväittely
prepirka
érv
deila, rifrildirök
口論
논쟁
argumentum
argumentpolemika
argumentdokazprepirprerekanjespor
argumentargumentationdiskussiongräl
การโต้เถียง
sự tranh luận

argument

[ˈɑːgjʊmənt] N
1. (= disagreement) → discusión f; (= fight) → pelea f
I don't want any argument (about it)no quiero discutir, no hay discusión que valga
to get into an argument (with sb)empezar a discutir (con algn)
to have an argument (with sb)discutir (con algn); (more heatedly) → pelearse (con algn)
we had an argument about moneytuvimos una discusión or discutimos por razones de dinero
let's not have an argument about itno discutamos
there was an argument over the missing platehubo una discusión sobre el plato que faltaba
you've only heard one side of the argumentsólo conoces una cara del asunto
he had an argument with a wall (hum) → se dio contra la pared
2. (= debate) → polémica f
there is some argument as to whether or not it's possiblehay bastante polémica sobre si es posible o no
she is open to argumentestá dispuesta a discutirlo
the conclusion is open to argumentla conclusión se presta a discusión or es discutible
to win/lose an argumentganar/perder (en) un enfrentamiento
see also sake
3. (= case) → argumento m, razones fpl
there is a strong argument for or in favour of doing nothingexisten argumentos or razones de peso para or en favor de no hacer nada
an argument could be made for government interventionse podrían alegar razones para la intervención del gobierno
4. (= reasoning) → razonamiento m
if you take this argument one step furthersi llevas el razonamiento un poco más allá
his argument is thatél sostiene que ...
see also line 1 A11
5. (= synopsis) → argumento m, resumen m
6. (Jur) opening argumentexposición f inicial
closing argumentconclusiones fpl finales
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

argument

[ˈɑːrgjʊmənt] n
(= reasons) → argument m
argument for sth → argument pour qch
argument against sth → argument contre qch
(= quarrel) → dispute f
to have an argument → se disputer
They had an argument → Ils se sont disputés.
to get into an argument → se disputer
(= debate) → discussion f, controverse f
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

argument

n
(= discussion)Diskussion f; to spend hours in argument about how to do somethingstundenlang darüber diskutieren, wie man etw macht; for the sake of argumentrein theoretisch; he just said that for the sake of argumentdas hat er nur gesagt, um etwas (dagegen) zu sagen; it is beyond argumentdas ist unbestreitbar; he is open to argumenter lässt mit sich reden; this is open to argumentdarüber lässt sich streiten
(= quarrel)Auseinandersetzung f; to have an argumentsich streiten; (over sth trivial) → sich zanken; without argumentwiderspruchslos
(= reason)Beweis(grund) m, → Argument nt; (= line of reasoning)Argumentation f, → Beweisführung f; first state your theory, then list the arguments for and againststellen Sie erst Ihre These auf und nennen Sie dann die Gründe und Gegengründe; one of the best arguments I have heard in favour (Brit) or favor (US) of private educationeines der besten Argumente zugunsten or zu Gunsten der Privatschule, die ich gehört habe; there’s an even stronger argument than thates gibt ein noch stärkeres Argument; that’s not a rational argument, it’s just a dogmatic assertiondas ist kein rationales Argument, das ist bloß eine dogmatische Behauptung
(= theme: of play, book etc) → Aussage f, → These f (esp Philos); (= claim)These f
(= statement of proof)Beweis m; the two main types of argumentdie beiden wichtigsten Beweisarten; Professor Ayer’s argument is that …Professor Ayers These lautet, dass …; the Ontological/Teleological Argumentder ontologische/teleologische Gottesbeweis; all the various arguments for the existence of a godall die verschiedenen Gottesbeweise; I don’t think that’s a valid argumentich glaube, das ist kein gültiger Beweis; an interesting argumenteine interessante These
(Math) → Argument nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

argument

[ˈɑːgjʊmənt] n
a. (reasons) → argomento, ragione f, motivo
argument for/against → argomento a or in favore di/contro
I don't follow your argument → non ti seguo
b. (discussion) → discussione f, dibattito; (quarrel) → litigio, lite f
to hear both sides of the argument → ascoltare entrambe le versioni
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

argue

(ˈaːgjuː) verb
1. (with with someone, about something) to quarrel with (a person) or discuss (something) with a person in a not very friendly way. I'm not going to argue; Will you children stop arguing with each other about whose toy that is!
2. (with for, ~against) to suggest reasons for or for not doing something. I argued for/against accepting the plan.
3. (with into, ~out of) to persuade (a person) (not) to do something. I'll try to argue him into going; He argued her out of buying the dress.
4. to discuss, giving one's reasoning. She argued the point very cleverly.
ˈarguable adjective
able to be put forward in argument. It is arguable that he would have been better to go.
ˈargument noun
1. a quarrel or unfriendly discussion. They are having an argument about/over whose turn it is.
2. a set of reasons; a piece of reasoning. The argument for/against going; a philosophical argument.
ˌarguˈmentative (-ˈmentətiv) adjective
fond of arguing.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

argument

جِدَال hádka skænderi Streit επιχείρημα discusión kiista dispute prepirka discussione 口論 논쟁 ruzie diskusjon spór discussão ссора gräl การโต้เถียง tartışma sự tranh luận 争论
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
References in classic literature ?
The argument of the Republic is the search after Justice, the nature of which is first hinted at by Cephalus, the just and blameless old man-- then discussed on the basis of proverbial morality by Socrates and Polemarchus--then caricatured by Thrasymachus and partially explained by Socrates--reduced to an abstraction by Glaucon and Adeimantus, and having become invisible in the individual reappears at length in the ideal State which is constructed by Socrates.
Allowing the case, however, to stand according to your representation, you must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house, and the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it without offering one argument in favour of its propriety."
Comparing the humped herds of whales with the humped herds of buffalo, which, not forty years ago, overspread by tens of thousands the prairies of Illinois and Missouri, and shook their iron manes and scowled with their thunder-clotted brows upon the sites of populous river-capitals, where now the polite broker sells you land at a dollar an inch; in such a comparison an irresistible argument would seem furnished, to show that the hunted whale cannot now escape speedy extinction.
He was delighted at the unexpected rapidity of his pupil's progress, but could not abandon the edifice of argument he had laboriously constructed.
This last argument had indeed some effect on Jones, and while he was weighing it the landlord threw all the rhetoric of which he was master into the same scale.
He had made no effort to tide over the discomforts of her introduction, and now, engaged in argument with his brother, apparently forgot her presence.
The executioner's argument was, that you couldn't cut off a head unless there was a body to cut it off from: that he had never had to do such a thing before, and he wasn't going to begin at HIS time of life.
Shall I return to your old argument about the opinions of men?--we were saying that some of them are to be regarded, and others not.
Though he did not drink himself, with a politeness of which Philip recognised the irony, he put a couple of bottles of beer at Hayward's elbow, and he insisted on lighting matches whenever in the heat of argument Hayward's pipe went out.
As he listened to his brother's argument with the professor, he noticed that they connected these scientific questions with those spiritual problems, that at times they almost touched on the latter; but every time they were close upon what seemed to him the chief point, they promptly beat a hasty retreat, and plunged again into a sea of subtle distinctions, reservations, quotations, allusions, and appeals to authorities, and it was with difficulty that he understood what they were talking about.
A portable sheath in which the ancient statesman and the aboriginal lawyer carried their lighter arguments.
Overwhelmed at first under this violent shock, he by and by recovered himself, and resolved to crush the proposal by weight of his arguments.