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ARGUMENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning
Example:
I can't follow your line of reasoning
Synonyms:
argument; argumentation; line; line of reasoning; logical argument
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
abstract thought; logical thinking; reasoning (thinking that is coherent and logical)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "argument"):
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)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
variable; variable quantity (a quantity that can assume any of a set of values)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program
Synonyms:
argument; parameter
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
value (a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed)
address; computer address; reference ((computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored)
Domain category:
computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie
Example:
the editor added the argument to the poem
Synonyms:
argument; literary argument
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
sum-up; summary (a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form)
Sense 5
Meaning:
A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
Example:
it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true
Synonyms:
argument; statement
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
evidence (an indication that makes something evident)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "argument"):
specious argument (an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious)
last word (the final statement in a verbal argument)
adducing (citing as evidence or proof)
clincher; determiner; determining factor (an argument that is conclusive)
case (a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument)
con (an argument opposed to a proposal)
pro (an argument in favor of a proposal)
counterargument (an argument offered in opposition to another argument)
proof (a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it)
Derivation:
argue (give evidence of)
Sense 6
Meaning:
A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
Example:
the argument over foreign aid goes on and on
Synonyms:
argument; argumentation; debate
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
discussion; give-and-take; word (an exchange of views on some topic)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "argument"):
logomachy (argument about words or the meaning of words)
Derivation:
argue (present reasons and arguments)
Sense 7
Meaning:
A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
Example:
they were involved in a violent argument
Synonyms:
arguing; argument; contention; contestation; controversy; disceptation; disputation; tilt
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("argument" is a kind of...):
conflict; difference; difference of opinion; dispute (a disagreement or argument about something important)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "argument"):
argle-bargle; argy-bargy (a verbal dispute; a wrangling argument)
firestorm (an outburst of controversy)
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)
Derivation:
argue (have an argument about something)
Context examples:
Long she argued it with him, but the argument was one-sided, for he contented himself with repeating again and again, "He killed Dutchy and Harkey."
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she would, and the argument ended only with the visit.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
‘Now that you call it to my mind,’ he answered, ‘Brunton did ask me about the height of the tree some months ago, in connection with some little argument with the groom.’
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
An extract or quotation from or reference to an authoritative source, e.g. a book or author, used, for example, to support an idea, theory, or argument.
(Citation, NCI Thesaurus)
Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) In the past 30 days, how often have you been in an argument?
(COMM - Been in an Argument, NCI Thesaurus)
This argument seemed weak enough to me.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
We will suppose, for argument’s sake, that the household of Wisteria Lodge are confederates in some design.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
My father yielded at length to my desire to avoid society and strove by various arguments to banish my despair.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Alleyne sat between them munching his bread, while the twain disputed across his knees, leaning forward with flushed faces and darting hands, in all the heat of argument.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The air was filled with their hoarse shouts and their arguments why each should be the chosen one.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
