Definition of polemic

The word "polemic" originated from the Greek word "polemikós," which means "warlike" or "skillful in war." In ancient Greece, polemikos referred to a person who excelled in military strategy and was skilled at developing arguments and tactics for warfare. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved, and it came to be used to describe a vigorous, heated argument or controversy. In the 16th century, the term "polemical" was adopted by writers in Italy and Spain to refer to literary and intellectual disputes that were as heated and tactics-driven as military campaigns. As the word made its way into English, its current definition became established. The Oxford English Dictionary defines polemic as "a vigorous controversy or dispute, especially one carried on in print or in speech." The term continues to be used today to describe any argumentative discourse, particularly in academic and intellectual contexts, where ideas and beliefs are actively debated and contested.