DIALECTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dialectic mean? 

• DIALECTIC (noun)
  The noun DIALECTIC has 2 senses:

1. any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments

2. a contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction

  Familiarity information: DIALECTIC used as a noun is rare.

• DIALECTIC (adjective)
  The adjective DIALECTIC has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to or employing dialectic

  Familiarity information: DIALECTIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIALECTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("dialectic" is a kind of...):

philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Derivation:

dialectic; dialectical (of or relating to or employing dialectic)

dialectician (a logician skilled in dialectic)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Context example:

this situation created the inner dialectic of American history

Hypernyms ("dialectic" is a kind of...):

contradiction (opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas)

Derivation:

dialectical (of or relating to or employing dialectic)

dialectician (a logician skilled in dialectic)

• DIALECTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or employing dialectic

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

dialectic; dialectical

Context example:

the dialectical method

Pertainym:

dialectic (any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments)

Derivation:

dialectic (any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments)