ignoratio elenchi

[ ig-nuh-rey-shee-oh i-leng-kahy, -kee ]

/ ˌɪg nəˈreɪ ʃiˌoʊ ɪˈlɛŋ kaɪ, -ki /

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noun Logic.

the fallacy of offering proof irrelevant to the proposition in question.

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Origin of ignoratio elenchi

1580–90; <Latin ignōrātiō elenchī literally, ignorance of the refutation; see elenchus

Words nearby ignoratio elenchi

ignominy, ignoramus, ignorance, Ignorance is bliss, ignorant, ignoratio elenchi, ignore, ignotum per ignotius, Igorot, Igraine, Iguaçú

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ignoratio elenchi in a sentence

The attempts, for instance, to disprove the population doctrines of Malthus, have been mostly cases of ignoratio elenchi.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
To deny or ridicule any of these beliefs on physical grounds is to commit the fallacy of ignoratio elenchi.
On the Genesis of Species|St. George Mivart
If the argument in the Sophistici Elenchi is good at all, it is good against all Dialectic.
Aristotle|George Grote
Such is the impressive closing chapter of the Sophistici Elenchi.
Aristotle|George Grote

It is chiefly in the heat of argument that either Petitio or Ignoratio succeeds.
Logic, Inductive and Deductive|William Minto

British Dictionary definitions for ignoratio elenchi

ignoratio elenchi

/ (ˌɪɡnəˈreɪʃɪəʊ ɪˈlɛŋkaɪ) /

noun logic

a purported refutation of a proposition that does not in fact prove it false but merely establishes a related but strictly irrelevant proposition

the fallacy of arguing in this way

Word Origin for ignoratio elenchi

Latin: an ignorance of proof, translating Greek elenchou agnoia

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