Definition of "argument" []

• A discussion in which disagreement is expressed; a debate. (noun)
• A quarrel; a dispute. (noun)
• Archaic A reason or matter for dispute or contention: "sheath'd their swords for lack of argument” ( Shakespeare). (noun)
• A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood: presented a careful argument for extraterrestrial life. (noun)
• A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason: The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "From this perspective, Russell's argument might seem akin to the ˜argument™ that calculus has eliminated the variable, because the word does not appear in the equations!"
• "III. i.3 (276,7) [an absent argument] An _argument_ is used for the"
• "Concerntug the v* - trade* the force of my argument goes no farther than this; — that its Juppftfliou, by the ISrihfli government only, other nations continuing the trade as ufua\ % who would of cotirfe felSC on what we funender, would anfwer the purpofes of humanity, cither to the negroes tn Africa, or to thofe already in the Weft Indies; and I have quoted* in fupport of this opinion, the authoiitiesof men (naval commander! and others) who arc intimately acquainted with the trade, though no ways intended in its continuance; and I have not yet met with any evidence or argument* to Kivtttdate their testimony."