HOW TO PRONOUNCE
polemic
/pəˈlɛmɪk/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does polemic mean?
noun
- A person who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.
- An argument or controversy.
- A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
More meanings (1)
adjective
- Having the characteristics of a polemic.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/pəˈlɛmɪk/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
The epistle of Jude--if it be really written by Jesus' brother of that name, which is doubtful--is solely a polemic directed against the innovations of Paul.
The worst offence of this kind which can be committed by a polemic, is to stigmatise those who hold the contrary opinion as bad and immoral men.
More book examples (2)
My father's little library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen in my way since it was now resolved I should not be a clergyman.
It is impossible here, though it is necessary for a complete sketch of the matter, to distinguish the different elements and channels of this Darwinian influence; in Darwin's own writings, in the vigorous polemic of Huxley, and strangely enough, but very actually for popular thought, in the teaching of the definitely anti-Darwinian evolutionist Spencer.