Noun

(en noun)

A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

* Ray

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

A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

A process of reasoning.

* John Locke

The argument is not about things, but names.

(philosophy, logic) A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.

*

(mathematics) The independent variable of a function.

(programming) A value, or reference to a value, passed to a function.

* {{quote-web, date = 2011-07-20

, author = Edwin Mares , title = Propositional Functions , site = The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , url = http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2011/entries/propositional-function , accessdate = 2012-07-15 }}

In ‘The Critic of Arguments’ (1892), Peirce adopts a notion that is even closer to that of a propositional function. There he develops the concept of the ‘rhema’. He says the rhema is like a relative term, but it is not a term. It contains a copula, that is, when joined to the correct number of arguments it produces an assertion. For example, ‘__ is bought by __ from __ for __’ is a four-place rhema. Applying it to four objects a'', ''b'', ''c'', and ''d'' produces the assertion that ''a'' is bought by ''b'' from ''c'' for ''d (ibid. 420).

Parameters are like labeled fillable blanks used to define a function whereas arguments are passed to a function when calling it, filling in those blanks.

(programming) A parameter in a function definition; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

(linguistics) Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

*

In numerous works over the past two decades, beginning with the pioneering work of Gruber (1965), Fillmore (1968a), and Jackendoff (1972), it has been argued that each Argument' (i.e. Subject or Complement) of a Predicate bears a particular ''thematic role'' (alias ''theta-role'', or ''θ-role'' to its Predicate), and that the set of ''thematic functions'' which ' Arguments can fulfil are drawn from a highly restricted, finite, universal set.

(astronomy) The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends.

The altitude is the argument of the refraction.

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.

* Shakespeare

You and love are still my argument .

* Jeffrey

the abstract or argument of the piece

* Milton

[shields] with boastful argument portrayed

Matter for question; business in hand.

* Shakespeare

Sheathed their swords for lack of argument .

Noun

(obsolete) Strife, discord.

An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.

An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-26, author=(Leo Hickman)

, volume=189, issue=7, page=26, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= How algorithms rule the world , passage=The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.}}

(uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Katie L. Burke

, magazine=(American Scientist), title= In the News , passage=Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:

(Frequently in French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in .