MODES OF DISCOURSE

Antecedently; denoting such forms of speech as imply

Doubting, or a desire of being informed by others, to which may be op∣posed the general name for those returns which others make to such forms of speech.

• QUESTION, Ask, Interrogate, demand, examin, expostulate, Inquisition.
• ANSWER, Responsal, Reply, Rejoinder, Return.

Positive; saying a thing to be so, or not to be so.

• AFFIRMATION, Assert, averr, avouch, prof•ss, Asseveration, Position.
• NEGATION, Deny, renounce, refuse, Recusant, disavow, gainsay, repulse, say nay.

Conditional; allowing a thing to be so for the prese•t, that we may thereby the better judge of the consequences from it, or owning the truth asserted by another.

• SUPPOSITION, Admit, premise, presuppose, Condition, Proviso, Hypothesis, put case.
• CONCESSION, Grant, yield, allow, acknowledge, admit, agree.

Saying something against what another affirms, or saying what is most contrary to it.

• OPPOSITION, Gainsay, thwart.
• CONTRADICTION.

Arguing against another, to which is opposed, The shewing an insuffi∣ciency in such arguments.

• OBJECTION, Impugn, Cavil.
• SOLVTION, Solve, Answer, Resolve, Subterfuge, Evasion, Casuist.

Our own arguments or opinions, by shewing the truth of them, or se∣conding such proof, by further evidence.

• PROBATION, Prove, demonstrate, evince, Evidence, verifie, Reason, Presumption.
• CONFIRMATION, Stablish, establish, ratifie.

Our adversaries arguments, by shewing the weakness of them, or turn∣ing the force of them against himself.

• CONFUTATION, Refell, refute, disprove, reason against.
• RETORTION, Invert, recriminate.

Reall; by rendring an adversary unable to defend his own opinion, or making him to submit to ours.

• POSING, Puzzle, nonplus, baffle, confound, gravel, run down.
• CONVICTION, Satisfie, evince.

Verbal; acknowledging the truth of our opinion, or renouncing the error of his own.

• CONFESSION, Acknowledge, own, yield, grant, profess, cry mercy.
• RECANTATION, Renounce, retract, recal, revoke, unsay, bite in.