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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ARGIFEE, ARGUFEE, ARGUFY, ARGUIFY, v. To argue, to signify. [′ɑrgɪfi, ′ɑrgɪfaɪ]Sc. [1834] Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) IV. 119:
A' divided intil separate heids, and argufied back and forrit.
Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. of Christ ii. ii. 5:
A'body naitirlie is fu' fain tae ken, bot what argufees lear athoot the dreddour o' God?
ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Chron. of Keckleton (1888) 110:
I needna try to argifee the pint wi' you, Bell.
Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) V. 325:
There's nae arguifying wi' you ava gin ye say that.

[An illiterate formation on argue, found also in colloquial and dial. Eng. Its first appearance in N.E.D. is dated 1751 in a quotation from Smollett.]

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