modus ponens

[ moh-duhs poh-nenz ]

/ ˈmoʊ dəs ˈpoʊ nɛnz /

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noun, plural mo·dus po·nen·tes

[moh-duhs poh-nen-teez]. /ˈmoʊ dəs poʊˈnɛn tiz/. Logic.

the reasoning that, when a conditional statement is accepted as true, as “If X is red, then Y is blue,” it can be inferred when the antecedent is known to be true, as “X is red,” that its consequent, “Y is blue,” is affirmed.

an argument based on the reasoning of modus ponens: A simple modus ponens might begin with “If Joe sneezes, Tom laughs.”

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Origin of modus ponens

First recorded in 1835–40; New Latin: literally “affirming mode”

Words nearby modus ponens

modulo, modulus, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rigidity, modus operandi, modus ponens, modus tollens, modus vivendi, Moe, Moebius, moer

How to use modus ponens in a sentence

That seems to be the modus operandi as The League moves closer to the seven-year itch.
The MVPs of Sleaze Are Back: FXX's 'The League' Ups the Degenerate Ante|Emily Shire|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each new creative wave that comes along seems to have to challenge the previous modus operandi.
The Doors Never Sold Out to Crass Commercialism|John Densmore|September 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rubin echoed this message today, explicitly endorsing it as a modus operandi for the Egyptian military.
Neocon Scholar: Keep Bloodying The Brotherhood|Ali Gharib|August 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As always with CBS, if it's not broken, don't fix it seems to be their modus operandi.
CBS Announces 2013-14 Primetime Schedule|Jace Lacob|May 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In fact, my whole modus vivendi is dictated by the needs of writing.
Literary City: Boris Akunin, a Dissident in Moscow|Henry Krempels|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Once satisfied that it was just and honourable, and it was comparatively child's work to arrange the modus operandi.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
By means of an accepted code of rules a kind of modus vivendi in this respect is obtained.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
He had a modus operandi of making the conditional mood mean the imperative.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
They might, too, have told us to advantage something about the modus operandi of "walking a plank."
The Bay State Monthly, Volume 1, Issue 5, May, 1884|Various
The Major chuckled, and admitted this might be so; his old governor used to say, "Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines."
Somehow Good|William de Morgan

British Dictionary definitions for modus ponens

modus ponens

/ Latin (ˈməʊdəs ˈpəʊˌnɛnz) /

noun

logic the principle that whenever a conditional statement and its antecedent are given to be true its consequent may be validly inferred, as in if it's Tuesday this must be Belgium and it's Tuesday so this must be Belgium

Word Origin for modus ponens

literally: mood that affirms

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