DIALECTIC

n. & adj. Philos. --n. 1 a the art of investigating the truth of opinions; the testing of truth by discussion. b logical disputation. 2 a inquiry into metaphysical contradictions and their solutions, esp. in the thought of Kant and Hegel. b the existence or action of opposing social forces etc. --adj. 1 of or relating to logical disputation. 2 fond of or skilled in logical disputation. [ME f. OF dialectique or L dialectica f. Gk dialektike (tekhne) (art) of debate (as DIALECT)]