ARGAN'TE (3 _syl_.), a giantess called "the very monster and miracle of lust." She and her twin-brother Ollyphant or Oliphant were the children of Typhoe'us and Earth. Argantè used to carry off young men as her captives, and seized "the Squire of Dames" as one of her victims. The squire, who was in fact Britomart (the heroine of chastity), was delivered by sir Sat'yrane (3 _syl_.).--Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, iii. 7 (1590). _Argante_' (2 _syl_.), father of Octave (2 _syl_.) and Zerbinette (3 _syl_.). He promises to give his daughter Zerbinette to Leandre (2 _syl_.), the son of his friend Géronte (2 _syl_.); but during his absence abroad the young people fall in love unknown to their respective fathers. Both fathers storm, and threaten to break off the engagement, but are delighted beyond measure when they discover that the choice of the young people has unknowingly coincided with their own.--Molière, _Les Fourteries de Scapin_ (1671). (Thomas Otway has adapted this play to the English stage, and called it _The Cheats of Scapin_. "Argante" he calls _Thrifty_; "Géronte" is _Gripe_; "Zerbinette" he calls _Lucia_; and "Leandre" he Anglicizes into _Leander_.) ARGAN'TES (3 _syl_.), a Circassian of high rank and undoubted courage, but fierce and a great detester of the Nazarenes. Argantês and Solyman were undoubtedly the bravest heroes of the infidel host. Argantês was slain by Rinaldo, and Solyman by Tancred.--Tasso, _Jerusalem Delivered_ (1575). Bonaparte stood before the deputies like the Argantês of Italy's heroic poet.--Sir Walter Scott. AR'GENIS, a political romance by Barclay (1621). AR'GENTILE (3 _syl_.), daughter of king Adelbright, and ward of Edel. Curan, a Danish prince, in order to woo her, became a drudge in her house, but being obliged to quit her service, became a shepherd. Edel, the guardian, forcing his suit on Argentile, compelled her to flight, and she became a neatherd's maid. In this capacity Curan wooed and won her. Edel was forced to restore the possessions of his ward, and Curan became king of Northumberland. As for Edel, he was put to death.--William Warner, _Albion's England_ (1586). AR'GENTIN _(Le sieur d_'), one of the officers of the duke of Burgundy.--Sir W. Scott, _Anne of Geiersiein_ (time, Edward IV.). ARGE'O, baron of Servia and husband of Gabrina. (See _Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_.)--Ariosto, _Orlando Furioso_ (1516). ARGES'TES (3 _syl_.), the west wind. Wingèd Argestes, faire Aurora's sonne, Licensed that day to leave his dungeon, Meekly attended. Wm. Browne, _Britannia's Pastorals_, ii. 5 (1613). _Arges'tes_ (3 _syl_.), the north-east wind; Cæ'cias, the north-west; Bo'reas, the full north. Boreas and Cæcias and Argestes loud ... rend the woods, and seas upturn. Milton, _Paradise Lost_, x. 699, etc. (1665).