1. argument(n = noun.communication) statement - a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true; "it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true"
is a kind of evidence
has particulars: proof, counterargument, pro, con, case, clincher, determiner, determining factor, adducing, last word, specious argument
Derived form verb argue3
2. argument(n = noun.communication) arguing, contention, contestation, controversy, disceptation, disputation, tilt - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
is a kind of conflict, difference, difference of opinion, dispute
has particulars: argle-bargle, argy-bargy, firestorm, sparring, polemic, fight
Derived form verb argue2
3. argument(n = noun.communication) argumentation, debate - a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on"
is a kind of discussion, give-and-take, word
has particulars: logomachy
Derived form verb argue1
4. argument(n = noun.communication) literary argument - a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie; "the editor added the argument to the poem"
is a kind of sum-up, summary
5. argument(n = noun.communication) parameter - (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program;
is a kind of value, address, computer address, reference
6. argument(n = noun.cognition) - a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable;
is a kind of variable, variable quantity
7. argument(n = noun.cognition) argumentation, line, line of reasoning, logical argument - a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning"
is a kind of abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning
has particulars: line of inquiry, line of questioning, casuistry, policy
1. Proof; evidence. [1913 Webster]
"There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity." [1913 Webster]
"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?" [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation. [1913 Webster]
"The argument is about things, but names." [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
"You and love are still my argument." [1913 Webster]
"The abstract or argument of the piece." [1913 Webster]
"[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed." [1913 Webster]
5. Matter for question; business in hand. [1913 Webster]
"Sheathed their swords for lack of argument." [1913 Webster]
6. The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction. [1913 Webster]
7. The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends. Brande & C. [1913 Webster]
To make an argument; to argue. Gower. [1913 Webster]
argument, n.
1 an exchange of views, esp. a contentious or prolonged one.
2 (often foll. by for, against) a reason advanced; a reasoning process (an argument for abolition).
3 a summary of the subject-matter or line of reasoning of a book.
4 Math. an independent variable determining the value of a function.
Etymology:
ME f. OF f. L argumentum f. arguere (as ARGUE, -MENT)
N topic, subject of thought, material for thought, food for the mind, mental pabulum, subject, subject matter, matter, theme, noemata, topic, what it is about, thesis, text, business, affair, matter in hand, argument, motion, resolution, head, chapter, case, point, proposition, theorem, field of inquiry, moot point, problem, thought of, uppermost in the mind, in petto, under consideration, in question, in the mind, on foot, on the carpet, on the docket, on the tapis, relative to.
N reasoning ratiocination rationalism, dialectics, induction, generalization, discussion, comment, ventilation, inquiry, argumentation, controversy, debate, polemics, wrangling, contention, logomachy, disputation, disceptation, paper war, art of reasoning, logic, process of reasoning, train of reasoning, chain of reasoning, deduction, induction, abduction, synthesis, analysis, argument, case, plaidoyer, opening, lemma, proposition, terms, premises, postulate, data, starting point, principle, inference, prosyllogism, syllogism, enthymeme, sorites, dilemma, perilepsis, a priori reasoning, reductio ad absurdum, horns of a dilemma, argumentum ad hominem, comprehensive argument, empirema, epagoge, reasoner, logician, dialectician, disputant, controversialist, controvertist, wrangler, arguer, debater polemic, casuist, rationalist, scientist, eristic, logical sequence, good case, correct just reasoning, sound reasoning, valid reasoning, cogent reasoning, logical reasoning, forcible reasoning, persuasive reasoning, persuasory reasoning, consectary reasoning, conclusive, subtle reasoning, force of argument, strong point, strong argument, persuasive argument, arguments, reasons, pros and cons, reasoning, rationalistic, argumentative, controversial, dialectic, polemical, discursory, discursive, disputatious, Aristotelian, eristic, eristical, debatable, controvertible, logical, relevant, for, because, hence, whence, seeing that, since, sith, then thence so, for that reason, for this reason, for which reason, for as, inasmuch as, whereas, ex concesso, considering, in consideration of, therefore, wherefore, consequently, ergo, thus, accordingly, a fortiori, in conclusion, in fine, finally, after all, au bout du compt, on the whole, taking one thing with another, ab actu ad posse valet consecutio, per troppo dibatter la verita si perde, troppo disputare la verita fa errare.
N demonstration, proof, rigorous proof, conclusiveness, apodeixis, apodixis, probation, comprobation, logic of facts, experimentum crucis, argument, rigorous establishment, absolute establishment, conviction, cogency, (persuasion), demonstrating, demonstrative, demonstrable, probative, unanswerable, conclusive, apodictic, apodeictic, apodeictical, irresistible, irrefutable, irrefragable, necessary, categorical, decisive, crucial, demonstrated, proven, unconfuted, unanswered, unrefuted, evident, deducible, consequential, consectary, inferential, following, convincing, cogent, persuasive (believable), of course, in consequence, consequently, as a matter of course, necessarily, of necessity, probatum est, there is nothing more to be said, quod est demonstrandum, Q, E, D, it must follow, exitus acta probat.
N meaning, signification, significance, sense, expression, import, purport, force, drift, tenor, spirit, bearing, coloring, scope, substance, gist, essence, marrow, spirit, matter, subject, subject matter, argument, text, sum and substance, general meaning, broad meaning, substantial meaning, colloquial meaning, literal meaning, plain meaning, simple meaning, natural meaning, unstrained meaning, true meaning, honest meaning, &c 543 prima facie meaning, letter of the law, literally, after acceptation, synonym, implication, allusion, suggestion, figure of speech, acceptation, meaning, expressive, suggestive, allusive, significant, significative, significatory, pithy, full of meaning, pregnant with meaning, declaratory, intelligible, literal, synonymous, tantamount, implied, explicit, to that effect, that is to say.