Obs. [a. F. argumente-r, ad. L. argūmentā-ri to conduct an argument, f. argūment-um: see prec.]
1. intr. To adduce arguments, argue, reason.
c. 1320. Seuyn Sages (W.), 195. The fifte yer, he gan argument Of the sterre, and of the firmament.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, I. 377. Thus argumentyd he.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 153. Thus they argument for the horns of Elephants.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., II. ix. 42. We argument also from the Scandall of them.
2. To give evidence, furnish proof, that.
1558. Kennedy, Compend. Treat., in Misc. Wodr. Soc. (1844), 114. Albeit that it apperteneth to the Apostolis … it argumentis not, that utheris [etc.].
3. To furnish with arguments or syllabuses. rare.
1611. H. Broughton, Req. Agreement, 52. He [Homer] caused both workes to be argumented by 24 verses.
4. trans. To make the subject of argument or debate.
1746. Da Costa, in Phil. Trans., XLIV. 406. As for the regular Figure of the Belemnites being excepted against, I believe few Fossilists will argument that.
