Etymology Map
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Argue

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to exchange opposing views

Where does the word "argue" come from? It comes from Late Latin argutare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
argutare
Late Latin · ancient
"to prattle"
a frequentative of 'arguere', to make clear, prove
2
Stage 2 of 3
arguer
Old French · medieval
"to reason, accuse"
scholastic debates in medieval universities were built on 'arguments'
3
Stage 3 of 3
argue
English · 1300s
"to reason"
the sense 'to quarrel' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Argue’s story begins in Late Latin: argutare meant “to prattle.” A frequentative of 'arguere', to make clear, prove. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as arguer. Scholastic debates in medieval universities were built on 'arguments'. It reached English by 1300s as argue. The sense 'to quarrel' dates from the 1800s. Today, argue means to exchange opposing views.