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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Argument \Ar"gu*ment\, n. [F. argument, L. argumentum, fr.
arguere to argue.]
1. Proof; evidence. [Obs.]
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There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument
of the existence of a Deity. --Ray.
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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.
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2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or
convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an
argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition,
for or in favor of it, or against it.
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3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of
rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.
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The argument is about things, but names. --Locke.
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4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic
representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or
summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.
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You and love are still my argument. --Shak.
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The abstract or argument of the piece. --Jeffrey.
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[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed.
--Milton.
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5. Matter for question; business in hand. [Obs.]
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Sheathed their swords for lack of argument. --Shak.
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6. (Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a
table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the
refraction.
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7. (Math.) The independent variable upon whose value that of
a function depends. --Brande & C.
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Argument \Ar"gu*ment\ ([a^]r"g[-u]*ment), v. i. [L.
argumentari.]
To make an argument; to argue. [Obs.] --Gower.
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