modus ponens
[ moh-duhs poh-nenz ]
/ ˈmoʊ dəs ˈpoʊ nɛnz /
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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
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