Dictionary.com

petitio principii

[ pi-tish-ee-oh prin-sip-ee-ahy; Latin pe-tee-ti-oh pring-kip-i-ee ]
/ pɪˈtɪʃ iˌoʊ prɪnˈsɪp iˌaɪ; Latin pɛˈti tɪˌoʊ prɪŋˈkɪp ɪˌi /

noun Logic.

a fallacy in reasoning resulting from the assumption of that which in the beginning was set forth to be proved; begging the question.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of petitio principii

1525–35; <Medieval Latin petītiō prīncipiī, translation of Greek tò en archêi aiteîsthai the assumption at the outset

Words nearby petitio principii

petit feu, petit four, petition, petitionary, petitioner, petitio principii, petit jury, petit larceny, petit mal, petitor, petit point
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for petitio principii

petitio principii
/ (pɪˈtɪʃɪˌəʊ prɪnˈkɪpɪˌaɪ) /

noun

logic a form of fallacious reasoning in which the conclusion has been assumed in the premises; begging the questionSometimes shortened to: petitio

Word Origin for petitio principii

C16: Latin, translation of Greek to en arkhei aiteisthai an assumption at the beginning
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