elench
noun/ɪˈlɛŋk/
Etymology Latin elenchus, from Ancient Greek ἔλεγχος (élenkhos, “refutation, scrutiny”); compare Old French elenche. Doublet of elenchus.
1
Human sciences, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sciences That part of an argument on which its conclusiveness depends; that which convinces or refutes an antagonist; a refutation.
- Reprehension or Elench […] is a Syllogisme, which gathereth a conclusion contrary to the assertion of the respondent, as if a man would defend Medea not to love her childe, because she killed it, another might reason against him in this manner: every Mother loveth her child: but Medea is a Mother: Ergo, Medea loveth her child: the Conclusion of this Syllogisme is contrarie to the first Assertion […]1599, Thomas Blundeville, The Art of Logicke, London: Matthew Lownes, published 1619, Book 6, Chapter 2, p. 186:
2
Obsolete A specious argument; a sophism.
- But of these Sophisms and Elenchs of marchandize I skill not […]1644, John Milton, Areopagitica, page 40:
- This fallacy in the first delusion Satan put upon Eve, and his whole tentation might be the same Elench continued; so when he said, Ye shall not die, that was in his equivocation, ye shall not incurre a present death, or a destruction immediatly ensuing your transgression.1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, London: Edw. Dod & Nath. Ekins, published 1650, Book I, Chapter 4, p. 10:
- Derived terms
- elenchic, elenchical