polemic - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: polemic

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

po·lem·ic

Audio Help [puh-lem-ik, poh-] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.

2.	a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.

–adjective

3.	Also, po·lem·i·cal. of or pertaining to a polemic; controversial.

[Origin: 1630–40; < Gk polemikós of or for war, equiv. to pólem(os) war + -ikos -ic

]

—Related forms

po·lem·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
polemic

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

po·lem·ic Audio Help (pə-lěm'ĭk) Pronunciation Key
n.

A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.
A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation.

adj. also po·lem·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)
Of or relating to a controversy, argument, or refutation.

[French polémique, from Greek polemikos, hostile, from polemos, war.]

po·lem'i·cal·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
polemic

1638, "controversial argument or discussion," from Gk. polemikos "warlike, belligerent," from polemos "war." Meaning "one who writes in opposition to another" is attested from 1680.

"The worst offense that can be committed by a polemic is to stigmatize those who hold a contrary opinion as bad and immoral men." [John Stuart Mill, 1806-73]

Polemicize is recorded from 1953.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

polemic
adjective
1.	of or involving dispute or controversy
noun
1.	a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology) [syn: polemicist]
2.	a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Polemic

Po*lem"ic\, a. [Gr. ? warlike, fr.? war: cf. F. pol['e]mique.]

1. Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

2. Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer. --South.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Polemic

Po*lem"ic\, n. 1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic. --Macaulay.

2. A polemic argument or controversy.

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