argal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Extremely rareArchic, Historical, Literary, Obsolete. Not used in modern standard English.
Quick answer
What does “argal” mean?
A noun referring to a type of impure potassium bitartrate, a crust deposited in wine casks during fermentation (tartar).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A noun referring to a type of impure potassium bitartrate, a crust deposited in wine casks during fermentation (tartar).
An archaic conjunction meaning "therefore," "so," or "consequently," used in formal or affected speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences, as the word is obsolete in all varieties.
Connotations
In both UK and US contexts, if encountered, it would signal an archaic, Shakespearean, or deliberately antiquated style.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “argal” in a Sentence
[Sentence]. Argal, [conclusion].The argal was scraped from the vat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “argal” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He spoke most learnedly and, argal, quite convincingly (archaic).
American English
- The premise was flawed; argal, the conclusion was invalid (archaic).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical texts or analyses of Early Modern English.
Everyday
Not used. Using it would be confusing or pretentious.
Technical
Obsolete in chemistry; 'cream of tartar' or 'potassium bitartrate' are standard.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “argal”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “argal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “argal”
- Using it in modern writing or speech.
- Misspelling as 'argle' or 'argol'.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'go'; it's typically /ɡ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is obsolete. It has two historical meanings: a wine-tartar deposit and an archaic conjunction meaning 'therefore'.
No. It is not part of modern English. Using it will confuse your audience and seem affected.
Most famously in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' (Act V, Scene 1), where a gravedigger uses it humorously: "Argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life."
Both mean 'therefore'. 'Ergo' is the direct Latin loanword still used occasionally in formal/logical contexts. 'Argal' is a corrupted, Anglicized version of 'ergo' that was used in Early Modern English, often to mock pedantic speech.
A noun referring to a type of impure potassium bitartrate, a crust deposited in wine casks during fermentation (tartar).
Argal is usually archic, historical, literary, obsolete. not used in modern standard english. in register.
Argal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːɡ(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrɡəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ARGAL sounds like 'argue all' -> 'Therefore, we argue all the time.' Or link to 'tartAR' + 'GAL'lons of wine.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESIDUE IS WASTE / LOGICAL CONCLUSION IS A PHYSICAL RESULT (for the conjunctive sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you historically encounter the word 'argal'?