argumentum

Etymology

From the Latin argūmentum.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: ärgyo͞omĕnʹtəm, IPA^(key): /ɑːɡjuːˈmɛntəm/
• (Latinate) IPA^(key): /ar.ɡuːˈmen.tum/

Noun

argumentum (plural argumenta)

1. (chiefly formal, in law, logic, etc.) Used in numerous Latin phrases (and occasionally alone) in the sense of “appeal” or “argument”.
   • 1682: Sir Edward Coke, Argumentum anti-Normannicum, main title (John Darby)

     Argumentum anti-Normannicum: or, An argument proving, from ancient histories and records, that William, Duke of Normandy, made no absolute conquest of England by the sword; in the sense of our modern writers.

Etymology

arguō (“I prove or demonstrate”, “I assert or allege”) +‎ -mentum (“instrument”, “medium”, “result of”)

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ar.ɡuːˈmen.tum/, [ar.ɡuːˈmɛn.tũ]

Noun

argūmentum n (genitive argūmentī); second declension

1. argument (as in an argument for a position); evidence, a proof
2. a point, a theme
3. a topic, thesis
4. a plot, especially in theater.

References

• argūmentum in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• argumentum in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• argumentum in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• argūmentum in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette, page 160
• Carl Meissner; Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book‎, London: Macmillan and Co.
  • a strong, striking proof: argumentum firmum, magnum
    
  • to bring forward a proof: argumentum afferre
    
  • to quote an argument in favour of immortality: argumentum immortalitatis afferre (not pro)
    
  • to bring forward a proof of the immortality of the soul: argumentum afferre, quo animos immortales esse demonstratur
    
  • a proof of this is that..: argumento huic rei est, quod
    
  • to prove a thing indisputably: argumentis confirmare, comprobare, evincere aliquid (or c. Acc. c. Inf.)
    
  • to derive an argument from a thing: argumentum ducere, sumere ex aliqua re or petere ab aliqua re
    
  • to persist in an argument, press a point: argumentum premere (not urgere)
    
  • the points on which proofs are based; the grounds of proof: loci (τόποι) argumentorum (De Or. 2. 162)
    
  • to refute arguments: argumenta refellere, confutare
    
  • the plot of the piece: argumentum
    
  • I have nothing to write about: non habeo argumentum scribendi
    
  • I have nothing to write about: deest mihi argumentum ad scribendum (Att. 9. 7. 7)
    
• argumentum in Ramminger, Johann (accessed 16 July 2016) Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700‎, pre-publication website, 2005-2016
• “argūmentum” on page 168/1 of the Oxford Latin Dictionary (1st ed., 1968–82)
• Niermeyer, Jan Frederik (1976), “argumentum”, in Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus (in Latin), Leiden, Boston: Brill, page 59/2