elenchus
[ ih-leng-kuh s ]
/ ɪˈlɛŋ kəs /
noun, plural e·len·chi [ih-leng-kahy, -kee] /ɪˈlɛŋ kaɪ, -ki/.
a logical refutation; an argument that refutes another argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion.
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Origin of elenchus
1655–65; < Latin < Greek élenchos refutation
Words nearby elenchus
elementary process, elementary school, elementary, my dear watson, elemi, elena, elenchus, elenctic, elenore, eleoma, eleoptene, elepaio
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for elenchus
British Dictionary definitions for elenchus
elenchus
/ (ɪˈlɛŋkəs) /
noun plural -chi (-kaɪ) logic
refutation of an argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion, esp syllogistically
Socratic elenchus the drawing out of the consequences of a position in order to show them to be contrary to some accepted position
Word Origin for elenchus
C17: from Latin, from Greek elenkhos refutation, from elenkhein to put to shame, refute
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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