poˈlemical, a. (n.)
[f. as prec. + -al1.]
† 1. Of or pertaining to war; warlike, military.
| 1649 Roberts Clavis Bibl. 164 Davids Polemicall or warre⁓like Acts and Atchievements. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Polemical, pertaining to War, warlike, military. 1659 Quæries Proposalls of Officers of Armie to Parlt. 2 The third and fourth proposalls of these Polemicall gentlemen, (now plunged in politicks). |
2. = polemic a.
| 1640 Bp. Hall Chr. Moder. ii. i. 4 Those Polemicall discourses, which have beene so learnedly written of the severall points of difference. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. Ep. Ded., Not..to engage you to a Polemical Defence of it. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Polemical, is a Word used in Reference to that part of Theology which relates to Controversie; which..is called Polemical Divinity. 1713 Berkeley Guardian No. 55 ¶1 It is usual with polemical writers to object ill designs to their adversaries. 1878 Gladstone Glean. V. i. 81 note, This paper may be termed polemical, but I republish it..because it is also and yet more properly historical. |
B. as n. A polemical discussion, a controversy: cf. prec. B. 1. rare.
| 1808 Knox & Jebb Corr. I. 423 Few things could be more truly delightful, than to see fierce polemicals thus charmed away, by the bland and kindly influences of affection and good will. 1844 B. Barton Select. (1849) 63, I am not over-fond of polemicals; they are almost as bad as galenicals. |
Hence poˈlemically adv., in the manner of a polemic; controversially, disputatively.
| 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. i. i. (1852) 281 He was also sometimes put upon writing yet more polemically. 1886 Manch. Exam. 27 Jan. 3/2 A second article..which is able, sound, and polemically effective. |