argumentum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ar.ɡuːˈmɛn.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ar.ɡuˈmɛn.tum]^[1]

Forms

argūmentum n (genitive argūmentī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin arguō (“to show, prove”) + -mentum.^[2][1] De Vaan takes arguō as a verb “to make bright, make clear” made from an adjective Proto-Italic *argu- (“bright”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erǵ-u- (“white”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^[3] who speaks of signs and proofs of a matter.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It was a fact or line of reasoning offered as a ground for belief, a proof or argument, and a conclusion drawn by inference.^[2] Cicero defines it as reasoning that brings belief to a doubtful matter, and Lewis and Short note that it rests on facts, while ratiō rests on reasoning.^[5] It also meant a reason or motive, a symbol, the subject of a letter or speech, the plot of a play, and a story, especially a made-up one.^[2]

Isidore explained it as if argūtum, something cleverly found to prove things.^[6] In medieval Latin it was a means, trick, tool, engine or building,^[7] and in British Latin also a rebuke, a syllogism and an academic disputation.^[8] Old French arguement gave English argument in the early 14th century.^[9]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of proofs.^[2][4]
• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of a conclusion.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero defines it as reasoning that makes a doubtful matter credible.^[5][4]
• early 14th century – English argument is recorded.^[9]

Meanings

Noun

1. evidence, proof, argument.^[2]
2. A conclusion, inference.^[2]
3. A reason, motive.^[2]
4. A symbol.^[2]
5. The subject, theme; the plot of a play.^[2]
6. A story, fable.^[2]
7. (Medieval Latin) A trick; a tool, engine.^[7]

Word family

• argumentalis
• argūmentor
• argūmentōsus

Related words

• arguō
• argūtus
• English argument
• English argue

Usage notes

Isidore says it is named as if argūtum, because it is cleverly devised to prove things.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com