logomachy

American  

[loh-gom-uh-kee] / loʊˈgɒm ə ki /

noun

plural

logomachies

1. a dispute about or concerning words.

2. an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.

3. a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.

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logomachy British  

/ lɒˈɡɒməkɪ /

noun

1. argument about words or the meaning of words

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Other Word Forms

• logomach noun
• logomachic adjective
• logomachical adjective
• logomachist noun

Etymology

Origin of logomachy

First recorded in 1560–70; from Greek logomachía; see origin at logo-, -machy

Explanation

A fight about words is called logomachy. You don't have to be an etymologist to find yourself caught up in logomachy, but you have to care about words and their meanings. You and your word-loving friends might engage in logomachy, if you argue about the Latin and Sanskrit roots of your favorite words. There's not much to disagree on when it comes to the rare word logomachy itself, though — in Greek, logos means "word," and the suffix -machy always means "battle" or "contest," from the Greek makhe, or "fight."

Example Sentences

This was just the beginning of the logomachy.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2012

Sandra also got logomachy, while Dana got triskelion and cuproiodar-gyrite.

From Time Magazine Archive

We are today solid enough, balanced enough, sure enough of ourselves not to be impressed either by logomachy* or gesticulations ...

From Time Magazine Archive

Such lumbering logomachy is always injurious and oppressive to men of spirit, imagination or intellectual honour, and it has dealt very recklessly and wrongly with Bernard Shaw.

From George Bernard Shaw by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

There have been few councils or synods where the omission or addition of a word or a phrase might not have terminated an interminable logomachy!

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac