advocatus diaboli
Americannoun
noun
Example Sentences
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It also used to be that an apparatus of inquiry was set in train, including the scrutiny of an advocatus diaboli or "devil's advocate," to test any extraordinary claims.
From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2015
The narration of Roman Holiday, Sinclair's latest attack on capitalism, is put in the mouth of an advocatus diaboli: Luke Faber, conservative New Englander. manufacturer and gentleman-driver of racing cars.
From Time Magazine Archive
In Rome the advocatus diaboli, or devil’s advocate, had been established as early as 1587 to test the evidence adduced in support of the miracles claimed for those proposed for canonization.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
When my conscience was noisy, the advocatus diaboli used to silence it by saying, 'Oh, Strelitski'll take it for granted.'
From Children of the Ghetto A Study of a Peculiar People by Israel Zangwill
The ironical correction of sentiment, the tone of the advocatus diaboli, is habitual with many of the Icelandic writers, and many of their heroes.
From Epic and Romance Essays on Medieval Literature by W. P. Ker
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