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Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.

Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; as, a frivolous argument. Swift.

deduce, as an inference; to collect, as a conclusion, from circumstances that suggest, or arguments that prove; to infer; to conclude. Let me say no moreGather the sequel by that went before. Shak.

ion of the body or limbs in speaking, or in representing action or passion, and enforcing arguments and sentiments. Macaulay.

action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce or emphasize an argument, assertion, or opinion. Humble and reverent gestures. Hooker. Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love. Milton.

Entitled to earnest consideration; weighty; important; as, a great argument, truth, or principle.

arranting any inference to the existence of a God, would, on the contrary, ground even an argument to his negation. Sir W. Hamilton

To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an argument, or an objection. We will handle what persons are apt to envy others. Bacon. To handle without gloves. See under Glove. [Colloq.]

Unyielding; insensible to argument; uncompromising; strict. [Collog., U.S.]

Obscure; confused; not clear; as, a hazy argument; a hazy intellect. Mrs. Gore.

At this point of time, or of an argument; now. The prisoner here made violent efforts to rise. Warren.

hich anything turns or depends; a governing principle; a cardinal point or rule; as, this argument was the hinge on which the question turned.

g tunes, and their endeavors to hit the notes right. Locke. There you hit him; . . . that argument never fails with him. Dryden. Whose saintly visage is too bright To hit the sense of human sight. Milton. He scarcely hit my humor. Tennyson.

To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain. Hold not thy peace, and be not still. Ps. lxxxiii. 1. Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course. Milton.

A figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make against the argument, or in favor of the opposite side, each of them being refuted in order.

for proof of the point in question; something not proved, but assumed for the purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an overdue steamer. An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no other limits to hypotheses than those of the human imagination…

Inaccessible, as to knowledge, reason, sympathy, etc.; unimpressible; not to be moved by arguments or motives; as, an impenetrable mind, or heart. They will be credulous in all affairs of life, but impenetrable by a sermon of the gospel. Jer. Taylor.

To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose. The truth hereof I will net rashly pugn, or overboldly affirm. Peacham.

Not applicable; incapable of being applied; not adapted; not suitable; as, the argument is inapplicable to the case. J. S. Mill.

artificial; not made or elaborated by art; natural; simple; artless; as, an inartificial argument; an inartificial character. -- In*ar`ti*fi"cial*ly, adv. -- In*ar`ti*fi"cial*ness, n.