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ar·gu·men·ta·tive

(är′gyə-mĕntə-tĭv)

adj.

1. Given to arguing; disputatious.

2. Of or characterized by argument: an argumentative discourse.

ar′gu·menta·tive·ly adv.

ar′gu·menta·tive·ness n.

Synonyms: argumentative, contentious, disputatious, quarrelsome, scrappy²
These adjectives mean given to or characterized by arguing: an argumentative child; a contentious mood; a disputatious scholar; a quarrelsome drinker; a scrappy exchange.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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