ignoratio elenchi

ignoratio elenchi

(ˌɪɡnəˈreɪʃɪəʊ ɪˈlɛŋkaɪ)

n

1. (Logic) a purported refutation of a proposition that does not in fact prove it false but merely establishes a related but strictly irrelevant proposition

2. (Logic) the fallacy of arguing in this way

[Latin: an ignorance of proof, translating Greek elenchou agnoia]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ig•no•ra•ti•o e•len•chi

(ˌɪg nəˈreɪ ʃiˌoʊ ɪˈlɛŋ kaɪ, -ki)
n.

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

[1580–90; < Latin ignōrātiō elenchī literally, ignorance of the refutation]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ignoratio elenchi - the logical fallacy of supposing that an argument proving an irrelevant point has proved the point at issue logical fallacy - a fallacy in logical argumentation

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.