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forensic

[ fuh-ren-sik ]
/ fəˈrɛn sɪk /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forensic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, connected with, or used in courts of law or public discussion and debate.
adapted or suited to argumentation; rhetorical.

noun

forensics, (used with a singular or plural verb) the art or study of argumentation and formal debate.

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RELATED WORDS

argumentative, debatable, dialectic, moot, rhetorical, polemical, dialectical, juridical, juristic

Nearby words

  1. foremother,
  2. forename,
  3. forenamed,
  4. forenoon,
  5. forenoon watch,
  6. forensic accountant,
  7. forensic anthropology,
  8. forensic chemistry,
  9. forensic dentistry,
  10. forensic medicine

Origin of forensic

1650–60; < Latin forēns(is) of, belonging to the forum, public (see forum, -ensis) + -ic
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for forensic

British Dictionary definitions for forensic

forensic

/ (fəˈrɛnsɪk) /

adjective

relating to, used in, or connected with a court of lawforensic science
Derived Formsforensicality (fəˌrɛnsɪˈkælɪtɪ), nounforensically, adverb

Word Origin for forensic

C17: from Latin forēnsis public, from forum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for forensic

forensic

adj.

"pertaining to or suitable for courts of law," 1650s, from Latin forensis "of a forum, place of assembly," from forum "public place" (see forum). Used in sense of "pertaining to legal trials," as in forensic medicine (1845). Related: Forensical (1580s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for forensic

forensic

[ fə-rĕn′zĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or argumentation.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.