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fallacy definition

fal·lacy (fal′ə sē)

noun pl. fallacies -·cies

  1. Obsolete deception
  2. aptness to mislead; deceptive or delusive quality the fallacy of the senses
  3. a false or mistaken idea, opinion, etc.; error
    1. an error in reasoning; flaw or defect in argument
    2. Logic an argument which does not conform to the rules of logic, esp. one that appears to be sound

Etymology: ME fallace < OFr < L fallacia, deception, artifice < fallax (gen. fallacis), deceitful < fallere, to deceive: see fail

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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