| argument | 1. Proof; evidence. "There is. No more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity." (Ray) "Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion?" (South) 2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it. 3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation. "The argument is about things, but names." (Locke) 4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem. "You and love are still my argument." (Shak) "The abstract or argument of the piece." (Jeffrey) "[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed." (Milton) 5. Matter for question; business in hand. "Sheathed their swords for lack of argument." (Shak) 6. <astronomy> The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction. 7. <mathematics> The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends. Origin: F. Argument, L. Argumentum, fr. Arguere to argue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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