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Definition of polemic - 5 dictionary results

po⋅lem⋅ic

  [puh-lem-ik, poh-]
Use polemic in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To polemic
po·lem·ic   (pə-lěm'ĭk)   
n.  
  1. A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.
  2. 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.
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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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.

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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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