Search for: argument
6061 Etymology dictionary, p. result (v.).2
… facts, arguments, etc.," from Latin resultare "to spring forward, rebound" (in Medieval Latin "to result"), a frequentative from the past participle of resilire "to …
6062 Etymology dictionary, p. riot (n.).2
… , chattering, argument, domestic strife," also a euphemism for "sexual intercourse," of uncertain origin. Compare Italian riotta (Medieval Latin riota ) "quarrel …
6063 Etymology dictionary, p. riotous (adj.).2
… riotos "argumentative, quarrelsome," from riote "dispute, quarrel, domestic strife" (see riot (n.)). The meaning "tumultuous, turbulent, of the nature of an unlawful …
6064 Etymology dictionary, p. riveting (adj.).2
"commanding attention," 1854, present-participle adjective from rivet (v.). Earlier in a figurative sense of "clinching" (of an argument, etc.), 1670s. Related: Rivetingly .
6065 Etymology dictionary, p. settle (v.).4
… or argument;" hence "resolve, determine, come to a decision (1782).
6066 Etymology dictionary, p. sockdolager (n.).2
… conclusive argument"), American English, a fanciful formation from sock (v.1) "hit hard," perhaps via a comical mangling of doxology, on a notion of "finality." The …
6067 Etymology dictionary, p. solid (adj.).3
The meaning "firm, hard, compact" is from 1530s. Of arguments, etc., "substantial" (opposed to frivolous or flimsy ). The meaning "entirely of the same stuff" is from 1710. Of qualities, "well-established, considerable" c. 1600. Of food from c. 1700.
6068 Etymology dictionary, p. sophism (n.).2
… fallacious argument devised for purposes of deceit or to exercise one's ingenuity," from Old French sophime, sofisme "a fallacy, false argument" (Modern French …
6069 Etymology dictionary, p. sophistication (n.).2
… ; fallacious argument intended to mislead; disingenuous alteration; an adulterated or adulterating substance," from Medieval Latin sophisticationem …
6070 Etymology dictionary, p. sophist (n.).2
… fallacious arguments," late 15c., from Late Latin sophista, an alternative form of sophistes; the earlier form in English was sophister, sophistre (late 14c …
6071 Etymology dictionary, p. sophister (n.).2
… clever arguments," from a variant of Old French sophiste (see sophist ) with unetymological -er as in philosopher; also compare sorcerer. Fem. form sophistress …
6072 Etymology dictionary, p. sophistry (n.).3
" Sophistry applies to reasoning as sophism to a single argument" [Century Dictionary]. The meaning "sophistry; the philosophy, methods, and teachings of the Greek sophists" is attested by 1837; sophisticism in this sense is by 1889.
6073 Etymology dictionary, p. sound (adj.).3
… . Of arguments, etc., "without logical flaw," 1570s. The meaning "financially solid or safe" is attested from c. 1600; of sleep, "undisturbed, unbroken," from 1540s.
6074 Etymology dictionary, p. splitter (n.).2
… " in argument, etc., by c. 1700 (to split hairs "make overnice distinctions" is implied by 1670s); especially in reference to a tendency in classification of species …
6075 Etymology dictionary, p. straw man (n.).2
1590s, "doll or scarecrow made of bound straw," from straw (n.) + man (n.). Figuratively, in debates, by 1896, from man of straw "an easily refuted imaginary opponent in an argument," which is recorded from 1620s.
6076 Etymology dictionary, p. suasion (n.).2
… . 1400, "argument intended to persuade;" from Old French suasion (14c.) and directly from Latin suasionem (nominative suasio ) "a recommending, advocacy, support …
6077 Etymology dictionary, p. subtle (adj.).2
… " (of arguments), from Old French sotil, soutil, subtil "adept, adroit; cunning, wise; detailed; well-crafted" (12c., Modern French subtil ), from Latin subtilis "fine, thin …
6078 Etymology dictionary, p. suppose (v.).2
… of argument" without regard to truth or falsehood, from Old French suposer "to assume" (13c.), probably a replacement (influenced by Old French poser "put, place …
6079 Etymology dictionary, p. supposition (n.).2
… of argument, hypothetical inference, conjecture," from Medieval Latin suppositionem (nominative suppositio ) "assumption, hypothesis, a supposition," noun …
6080 Etymology dictionary, p. syllogism (n.).2
… , scholastic argument based on a formula or proof" (13c., Modern French syllogisme ) and directly from Latin syllogismus, from Greek syllogismos "a syllogism …