argumentum Latin · revision 5088

16 Oct 2026, 01:42 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₂erǵ-}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ar.ɡuːˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ar.ɡuˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''argūmentum''' ''n'' (genitive argūmentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[af|la|arguō|-mentum|t1=to show, prove]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan takes ''arguō'' as a verb “to make bright, make clear” made from an adjective [[itc-pro|*argu-|t=bright]], from [[ine-pro|*h₂erǵ-u-|t=white]].^(de Vaan 2008)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) who speaks of signs and proofs of a matter.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==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.^(OLD 2012) 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.^(Lewis & Short 1879) 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.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ Isidore explained it as if ''argūtum'', something cleverly found to prove things.^(Isidore) In medieval Latin it was a means, trick, tool, engine or building,^(Niermeyer 1976) and in British Latin also a rebuke, a syllogism and an academic disputation.^(DMLBS) Old French ''arguement'' gave [[en|argument]] in the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of proofs.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of a conclusion.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero defines it as reasoning that makes a doubtful matter credible.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * early 14th century – English ''argument'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # [[m|en|evidence]], proof, [[m|en|argument]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # A conclusion, inference.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A reason, motive.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A [[m|en|symbol]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # The subject, theme; the [[m|en|plot]] of a play.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A story, fable.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A trick; a tool, engine.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+ 
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[argumentalis]]
+ * [[argūmentor]]
+ * [[argūmentōsus]]
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[arguō]]
+ * [[argūtus]]
+ * [[en|argument]]
+ * [[en|argue]]
+ 
+ ==Usage notes==
+ Isidore says it is named as if ''argūtum'', because it is cleverly devised to prove things.^(Isidore)
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}