🗣️ A reason or case 💢 A fight with words 🔢 Input value 📖 Plot summary

argument

56 6.7

A value given to a function or program as input

noun
/ˈɑːrɡjʊmənt/

Specialized

: argumento

Can these parameters be derived from physical arguments to predict the nanoscopic behavior of surfaces?
argument to a function
command-line argument
specify arguments

Are the two arguments in fact integers?

Examples

So I got to fill in these two arguments to my Max.
The goal is to identify what the relations are holding between the arguments identified in the first stage.

Academic text (2017)
And then we say that the argument of Z is the set.
This is still the second argument to the H stack there.
The most prominent formulation of this argument comes from philosopher Michael Moore.

Academic text (2017)
Argument Extraction: The first stage of the pipeline is to detect arguments within the input natural language texts.

Academic text (2017)
The first goal of the argument mining pipeline consists of extracting the arguments from this text.

Academic text (2017)
To run the application in batch mode, a batch flag command-line argument is specified by the user.

Academic text (1996)
In fact, two of the first argument mining projects were on legal argument (Palau and Moens 2011).

Academic text (2017)
To use the function correctly, you need to provide three different arguments that specify the data types.

Synonyms

parameter

vsargument

Specialized

22 6.6

A value given to a function to change how it works

is a general input value not only for customizing operation

arg

vsargument

Jargon

1 9.3

A value given to a function or command in a program

is the full technical term used for input values to routines

param

vsargument

Specialized

1 6.8

A value given to a function or program that controls how it works

is the full term used in formal technical descriptions

Idioms

the other side of the argument

2 3.9

A view that disagrees with your opinion in a discussion

chink in someone's argument

Informal

7.4

A small weakness in someone's reasons that other people can use

Compounds

heated argument

7 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

valid argument

5 3.4

A reason or group of reasons that make sense and are clear

main argument

5 2.9

The most important point someone makes in a discussion or essay

logical argument

4 4.3

A set of clear reasons that show why an idea is true or false

specious argument

Formal

1 8.5

A reason that seems good but is actually wrong

thrust of the argument

1 5.6

The main point someone makes in a discussion

airtight argument

1 4.8

A set of reasons that cannot be shown wrong

flimsy argument

1 4.2

A reason that is weak and not supported by evidence

petty argument

1 3.0

A small disagreement about something unimportant

acrimonious argument

7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

ammunition for an argument

5.5

Facts or reasons you use to support a point

facile argument

Formal

8.2

A reason that seems simple but is shallow and not careful

literary argument

7.1

A short summary of the plot at the start of a poem, play or book

nub of the argument

7.0

The most important point people discuss in a disagreement

pseudoskeptical argument

Formal

9.9

An argument that acts doubtful but ignores real evidence

online argument

Texting

3.4

A disagreement on the internet, often in social media or forums

pith of the argument

Formal

7.5

The main point of a discussion or argument

thread of an argument

4.1

The main idea that connects the points someone makes

toothless argument

5.6

An argument that has no real power to convince people

two-sided argument

3.8

A discussion that shows two opposite views

valid argument

Specialized

4.8

A value given to a computer program or function that meets required rules

Surface Forms

argument singular

arguments plural

Morphology

argument = argue (opaque) = argue + ment

Although formed from 'argue' + -ment historically, the technical sense 'input to a function' is a domain-specific extension not predictable from the verb.

Etymology

Argument in maths and computing uses the same origin, from Latin argumentum and the verb argue, which mean 'to show' or 'proof'. So a mathematical argument is the value you give to a function to get an answer, like giving information that the function uses.