argument (occurs 78 times in S., of which 18 have the sense ‘debate, discussion’)
1.
proof, evidence, Ado II. iii.
254 [242] “no great argument of her
folly.”
2.
subject of contention
or debate
H5 III. i. 21
“sheath'd their swords
for lack of ,”
Mac. II. iii. 127.
3.
subject-matter of
discourse, theme, subject Ado I. i. 266,
1H4 II. ii. 104
“it would be argument
for a week,”
II. iv. 314, Sonn. xxxviii. 3, lxxvi. 10
4.
summary of the
subject-matter of a book Ham. III. ii.
150; fig. contents
Tim. II. ii. 188
“If I would . . . try
the argument of hearts.”
