See Also: viveur(dictionary)

polemic (iou) and viveur (iou)


polemic (iou)



polemic adjective & noun. M17.
[medieval Latin polemicus from Greek polemikos, from polemos war: see -IC.]
A. adjective. = POLEMICAL adjective. M17.
B. noun.
1. A controversial argument or discussion; argumentation against some opinion, doctrine, etc.; sing. & in pl., aggressive controversy; in pl. (treated as sing.), the practice of this, esp. in theology. M17.
C. R. Attlee A careful exposition of the Labour programme with very little Party polemics in it. M. Tippett It would be misrepresenting this book to finish the Introduction on a note of polemic. D. Cupitt His unwearying polemic against the established Church.
2. A controversialist; esp. in theology. M17.
polemicist noun a writer of polemics M19.

viveur (iou)



viveur noun. Pl. pronounced same. M19.
[French = a living person.]
A person who lives a fashionable and social life. Cf. BON viveur.