ignotum per ignotius

British  

/ ɪɡˈnəʊtʊm pər ɪɡˈnəʊtɪʊs /

noun

1. an explanation that is obscurer than the thing to be explained

---

Etymology

Origin of ignotum per ignotius

literally: the unknown by means of the more unknown

Example Sentences

However, in 20th century America, it does seem slightly ignotum per ignotius to reduce education to self-directed abortive confusion.

From Time Magazine Archive

And my easy method with spiritual dilemmas proved to be but a case of ignotum per ignotius.

From Erewhon Revisited by Butler, Samuel

He refused to supplement them by hypothetical geographical changes for which there was no independent evidence: this was simply to attempt to explain ignotum per ignotius.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

To explain market ratios by utility-curves is a case of ignotum per ignotius, so far as practical application is concerned.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

And yet, it is well known to scientific geography that every stream has its own individual character.118.This would be to be guilty of explaining ignotum per ignotius.

From Principles Of Political Economy by Lalor, John J. (John Joseph)