a. [f. prec. + -AL 1.]

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  1.  = AGONISTIC 1. ? Obs.

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1653.  Hammond, N. Test. (T.). Τελειοῦσθαι, in the agonistical notion, we have formerly explained.

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1725.  Blackwall, Sacr. Cl., I. 335 (T.). To say nothing of the beautiful metaphors and noble agonistical terms.

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1755.  Johnson, and 1775 Ash, Agonistical, belonging to prize-fighting.

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  2.  Rhet. = AGONISTIC 2.

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a. 1652.  J. Smith, Sel. Disc., i. 20. With a struggling, agonistical, and contentious reason.

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1840.  H. Rogers, Ess., II. v. 240. Aristotle has happily and aptly called the ‘agonistical’ or ‘wrestling’ style, that style by which a speaker earnestly strives to make a present audience see and feel what he wishes them to see and feel.

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