rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -mentum
Latin

-mentum

a means, result, or product

Forms

  • -mentum
  • -ment — The ending shortened through French.

Origin

A Latin noun ending related to older Indo-European formations in -men-.

Note

It can name the thing used to act, the action itself, or its result.

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noun

argument

AR-gyuh-munt/ˈɑːrɡjumənt/

Reasons expressed in support of a position.

Each neighbor supports an argument by pointing to evidence on the boundary drawing.

Two adult neighbors disagree over a boundary drawing, each points to different evidence.
Etymology
arguLatinmake clear, prove
+mentLatina means, result, or product

An argument was a means of making something clear or proving it: evidence supporting a claim. The disagreement sense developed through “subject of contention” to a quarrel.

In context

Wireless Philosophy3:48
In that case, we say that the argument supports the conclusion. Good arguments support their conclusions
CRITICAL THINKING - Fundamentals: Introduction to Critical Thinking [HD]

More examples

  • The neighbors had an argument about the fence.
  • The essay presents three convincing arguments.
  • The chart strengthens his argument against closing the station.

Forms

argument · arguments

Similar words

reasoning
The process of drawing conclusions rather than one stated case.
dispute
Emphasizes disagreement rather than evidence supporting a position.