Eristic is a noun that refers to someone who engages in arguments or disputes. It can also be used as an adjective that describes anything involving an argument or dispute.

The Greek word eristikos (air EES tee kose) means ‘fond of wrangling.’ And so it may be helpful to think of an eristic person as someone who is fond of arguing.

I’m not usually an eristic person, but when I hear people spouting statistics that don’t add up, I tend to dive right into arguments.