ex silentio

/ ɛks sɪˈlɛnʃɪˌəʊ /

adverb

1. (of a theory, assumption, etc) based on a lack of evidence to the contrary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex silentio¹

literally: from silence

Example Sentences

It is not so thoroughly known but that it is often necessary to cite its readings ex silentio.

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Of course it can always be objected that the proofs are partly the assertions of a comic poet who certainly was not particular about accusations of impiety, partly deductions ex silentio, partly actions the motives for which are uncertain.

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The absence of Mahinda's name in Asoka's inscriptions is certainly suspicious, but the Sinhalese chronicles give the names of other missionaries correctly and a mere argumentum ex silentio cannot disprove their testimony on this important point.

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The first, an argumentum ex silentio, is that if there was trouble in Pompeii between the old inhabitants and the new colonists then the same would have been true in Præneste!

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The protest against the argument ex silentio takes another form.

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