argument English · revision 4136

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1382|origins=la arguere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɑːɡ.jə.mənt/, US /ˈɑːrɡ.jə.mənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|argument]],^(AHD 2000)^(MW Collegiate) [[bor|fro|arguement|t=reasoning, opinion; accusation, charge]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|argūmentum|t=a logical argument; evidence, ground, proof]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|la|arguere|t=to make clear, make known, prove]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[argue]], with the suffix -mentum ([[-ment]]).^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Proof, evidence, a token: 1382 in the OED;^(OED 1989) statements and reasoning supporting a proposition, the early 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A reason put forward to influence the mind is from about 1386,^(OED 1989) a connected series of statements meant to establish a position from 1393,^(OED 1989) and the discussion of a question from 1494.^(OED 1989) In astronomy and mathematics it has meant the quantity from which another is deduced since about 1386.^(OED 1989) The summary of a book's subject matter is from 1535,^(OED 1989) and the theme or subject of a discourse from 1570.^(OED 1989) The sense passed through “subject of contention” (1590s) to “a quarrel” (by 1911), a sense formerly attached to argumentation.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In Aberdeen school use, an argument was an English passage to be turned into Latin.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1382 – proof, evidence.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1386 – a reason; in mathematics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – a line of reasoning.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – a summary of a book.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – a subject of contention.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1911 – a quarrel.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A discussion in which people disagree; a [[debate]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[quarrel]] or dispute.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A reason or set of reasons given to prove or disprove something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A course of reasoning meant to show truth or falsehood.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In mathematics, the independent variable of a function.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[argumentation]]

+ * [[argumentative]]

+ * [[argument from design]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[arguable]]

+ * [[arguably]]

+ * [[argue]]

+ * [[argufy]]

+ * [[argumentum]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage distinguishes argument, in which each side puts forward facts and reasons to persuade the other, from dispute and controversy.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}