devil's advocate Hear it!

devil's advocate definition

devil's advocate

  1. R.C.Ch. an official selected to examine the facts critically and raise objections in the case of a dead person named for beatification or canonization
  2. a person who upholds what is regarded as the wrong side or an indefensible cause, perversely or for argument's sake

Etymology: transl. of ML advocatus diaboli

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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