Part 626

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To persuade by reasons; <as>as, to <ex>argue</ex> a man into a different opinion</as>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To blame; to accuse; to charge with.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly <b>argued</b> of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate; remonstrate; controvert.</syn> <usage> -- To <er>Argue</er>, <er>Dispute</er>, <er>Debate</er>. These words, as here compared, suppose a contest between two parties in respect to some point at issue. To <i>argue</i> is to adduce arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or position. To <i>dispute</i> is to call in question or deny the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To <i>debate</i> is to strive for or against in a somewhat formal manner by arguments.</usage>

<blockquote>Men of many words sometimes <b>argue</b> for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently <b>dispute</b> for the sake of victory; men in public life often <b>debate</b> for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth. <i>Crabb.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Unskilled to <b>argue</b>, in <b>dispute</b> yet loud, Bold without caution, without honors proud. <i>Falconer.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Betwixt the dearest friends to raise <b>debate</b>. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Arguer</h1> <Xpage=80>

<hw>Ar"gu*er</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who argues; a reasoner; a disputant.</def>

<h1>Argufy</h1> <Xpage=80>

<hw>Ar"gu*fy</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>v. t. & i.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Argue</ets> + <ets>-fy</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To argue pertinaciously.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<i>Halliwell.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To signify.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<h1>Argulus</h1> <Xpage=80>

<hw>Ar"gu*lus</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[NL., dim of <ets>Argus</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>A genus of copepod Crustacea, parasitic of fishes; a fish louse. See <er>Branchiura</er>.</def>

<h1>Argument</h1> <Xpage=80>

<hw>Ar"gu*ment</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>argument</ets>, L. <ets>argumentum</ets>, fr. <ets>arguere</ets> to argue.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Proof; evidence.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>There is.. no more palpable and convincing <b>argument</b> of the existence of a Deity. <i>Ray.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an <b>argument</b> of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion? <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; <as>as, an <ex>argument about</ex>, <ex>concerning</ex>, or <ex>regarding</ex> a proposition, for or <ex>in favor of</ex> it, or <ex>against</ex> it</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>argument</b> is about things, but names. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>You and love are still my <b>argument</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The abstract or <b>argument</b> of the piece. <i>Jeffrey.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>[Shields] with boastful <b>argument</b> portrayed. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Matter for question; business in hand.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Sheathed their swords for lack of <b>argument</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>