noun

1. Archaic proof or evidence
2. a reason or reasons offered for or against something
3. the offering of such reasons; reasoning
4. a discussion in which there is disagreement; dispute; debate
5. a short statement of subject matter, or a brief synopsis of a plot; summary
6. Obsolete a topic; theme
7. Math. independent variable

Etymology: ME < OFr or L: OFr < L argumentum, evidence, proof < arguere: see argue