n.
     - a heated exchange of conflicting views.
 - a set of reasons given in support of something.
 - Mathematics  & Logic  an independent variable associated with a function or proposition and determining its value, e.g. x in y = F(x).
 - Linguistics  any of the noun phrases in a clause that are related directly to the verb.
 - archaic a summary of the subject matter of a book.
 
 
  Etymology
  ME: via OFr. from L. argumentum, from arguere ‘make clear, prove, accuse’.