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dialectic

 - 5 dictionary results

di⋅a⋅lec⋅tic

  [dahy-uh-lek-tik]
Use dialectic in a Sentence
–adjective Also, dialectical.
1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of logical argumentation.
2. dialectal.
–noun
3. the art or practice of logical discussion as employed in investigating the truth of a theory or opinion.
4. logical argumentation.
5. Often, dialectics.
a. logic or any of its branches.
b. any formal system of reasoning or thought.
6. Hegelian dialectic.
7. dialectics, (often used with a singular verb) the arguments or bases of dialectical materialism, including the elevation of matter over mind and a constantly changing reality with a material basis.
8. (in Kantian epistemology) a fallacious metaphysical system arising from the attribution of objective reality to the perceptions by the mind of external objects. Compare transcendental dialectic.
9. the juxtaposition or interaction of conflicting ideas, forces, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME (< AF) < L dialectica < Gk dialektik (téchnē) argumentative (art), fem. of dialektikós. See dialect, -ic

Related forms:
di⋅a⋅lec⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

di⋅a⋅lec⋅tal

  [dahy-uh-lek-tl]
–adjective
1. of a dialect.
2. characteristic of a dialect.
Also, dialectic, dialectical.

Origin:
1825–35; dialect + -al 1

Related forms:
di⋅a⋅lec⋅tal⋅ly, adverb

Usage note:
In linguistics dialectal, not dialectical, is the term more commonly used to denote regional or social language variation: Dialectal variation is more marked in the South than elsewhere in the United States. In general writing either term may be found.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dialectic
di·a·lec·tic   (dī'ə-lěk'tĭk)   
n.  

  1. The art or practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments.

    1. The process especially associated with Hegel of arriving at the truth by stating a thesis, developing a contradictory antithesis, and combining and resolving them into a coherent synthesis.

    2. Hegel's critical method for the investigation of this process.

    3. The Marxian process of change through the conflict of opposing forces, whereby a given contradiction is characterized by a primary and a secondary aspect, the secondary succumbing to the primary, which is then transformed into an aspect of a new contradiction. Often used in the plural with a singular or plural verb.

    4. The Marxian critique of this process.

    1. The Marxian process of change through the conflict of opposing forces, whereby a given contradiction is characterized by a primary and a secondary aspect, the secondary succumbing to the primary, which is then transformed into an aspect of a new contradiction. Often used in the plural with a singular or plural verb.

    2. The Marxian critique of this process.

  4. dialectics (used with a sing. verb) A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions.

  5. The contradiction between two conflicting forces viewed as the determining factor in their continuing interaction.


[Middle English dialetik, from Old French dialetique, from Latin dialectica, logic, from Greek dialektikē (tekhnē), (art) of debate, feminine of dialektikos, from dialektos, speech, conversation; see dialect.]
di'a·lec'ti·cal, di'a·lec'tic adj., di'a·lec'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

dialectic 
1382, from L. dialectica, from Gk. dialektike (techne) "(art of) philosophical discussion or discourse," fem. of dialektikos "of conversation, discourse," from dialektos "discourse, conversation" (see dialect). Originally synonymous with logic; in modern philosophy refined by Kant, then by Hegel, who made it mean "process of resolving or merging contradictions in character."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

dialectic

originally a form of logical argumentation but now a philosophical concept of evolution applied to diverse fields including thought, nature, and history.

Learn more about dialectic with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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