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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Argu, Argew, Argow, v. Also: argw, argue, argwe, argewe, argou, argo. See also Argun. [ME. arguen, argue (1303), OF. arguer, L. arguere.]

1. intr. To use argument; to debate, dispute. a1400 Leg. S. v. 178.
Agayne riches arguit he c1450-2 Howlat 273.
Baith pro and contra, Thus argewe thai all 1456 Hay I. 228/23; etc.
In sik maner as I have argewit a1500 Rauf C. 644.
He arguit with the Ischar ofter than anis 1495 Acta Conc. 382/1.
[He] arguit contrare the assedacion 1535 Stewart 2223.
Lat ȝow considder Quha hes the rycht, and argo weill thairfoir 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. a iij 26.
Quhen tua arguis, … thair talk mon be contrarious

2. tr. To accuse (a person). a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 334.
Iohnne … arguit hym sa faste Of Herodyades c1420 Wynt. ii. 1130.
He arguyt thame on fel manere Ib. v. 580.
Hys modyr oysyd for to … argwe hym wnkynd a 1470 Liber Aberbr. 107.
His conscience arguit hym the contrare 1513 Doug. xi. vii. 41.
I will accus nor argu now na wight Ib. xiii. vi. 173.
Not ȝou.Will I argew of this maner offens

b. To call in question. c1420 Wynt. iv. 170.
The tothir argwe suld his dede Ib. v. 4300.
Sum man may … argwe perchans hys cunnandnes 1456 Hay I. 66/24.
Gif thou, redar, will argue me thus

3. To debate, discuss (a matter). c1420 Wynt. vi. Prol. 29.
Quha this wald argwe wylfully, Lat hym be answeryd rycht lychtly 1456 Hay I. 153/25.
Suppos men wald argu this mater 1571 Sat. P. xxv. 60.
I argoued all the cais

4. To allege by way of argument. 1456 Hay I. 120/15.
He argewis first that nay, it suld nocht be 1490 Irland Mir. I. 72/13.
Gif thou argwis that the presciens of God is eternal 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 489.
Thocht sum wald … argue Vergill stude weill befor