Argument

n. [Fr. argument, Pr. argument, argumen; Lat. argumentum, from arguere, to argue.]

1Sense 1. A proof or means of proving; a reason offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind. “Arguments of a vile mind.” Spenser.

There is . . . no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. Ray.

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? South.

2Sense 2. A process of reasoning or a controversy made up of such proofs.

The argument is not about things, but names. Locke.

3Sense 3. The subject-matter, or an abstract of the subject-matter, of a discourse, writing, picture, or the like. “The argument of his own scorn.” Shak.

[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed. Milton.

The abstract or argument of the piece is shortly as follows. Jeffrey.

4Sense 4. (Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction. Brandé.