argal

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑːɹɡəl/

A corruption of the Latin ergō (“therefore, thus”).

argal

1. thus, therefore
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], lines 11-13:

     And an act hath three branches—it is to act, to do, to perform. Argal, she drowned herself wittingly.

   • 1947, Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano, New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, page 77:

     He thought: 900 pesos=100 bottles of whiskey=900 ditto tequila. Argal: one should drink neither tequila nor whiskey but mescal.

This word is used facetiously or as a joke, to indicate that the conclusion that follows or the preceding reasoning is absurd or specious.

argal (usually uncountable, plural argals)

1. crude tartar.

argal (plural argals)

1. An argali (kind of sheep).

• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. G.L Kittredge ed. Boston: Ginn, 1939.
• “argal”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

• graal