argumentum ad hominem
Britishnoun
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fallacious argument that attacks not an opponent's beliefs but his motives or character
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argument that shows an opponent's statement to be inconsistent with his other beliefs
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an instance of either of these
Etymology
Origin of argumentum ad hominem
literally: argument to the person
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Andr� ' whole case for Dickens is an argumentum ad hominem.
From Time Magazine Archive
This line of defence may, as against Home Rulers, be disposed of at once by an argumentum ad hominem.
From A Leap in the Dark A Criticism of the Principles of Home Rule as Illustrated by the Bill of 1893 by Dicey, Albert Venn
It was a masterful bit of hypocritical eloquence, of argumentum ad hominem; but it was made to simple and illiterate hearers.
From The Code of the Mountains by Buck, Charles Neville
This argumentum ad hominem elicited sundry greedy looks from the surrounding crowd; and cries of "Ah, tortillas! ah, pulque!" burst from the craving lips of the Léperos.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 355, May 1845 by Various
With all due respect for the shades of the mighty, and for the tacit approval of the many, I beg leave to offer the argumentum ad hominem in rebuttal.
From Branded by Lynde, Francis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
