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reductio ad absurdum

(ri duk′tē ō′ ad ab sʉr′dəm, -s̸hē ō′)

Logic the proof of a proposition by showing its opposite to be an obvious falsity or self-contradiction, or the disproof of a proposition by showing its consequences to be impossible or absurd

Origin: L, reduction to absurdity

See reductio ad absurdum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. re·duc·ti·o·nes ad absurdum (-ōˈnēz, -nās)

Disproof of a proposition by showing that it leads to absurd or untenable conclusions.

Origin:

Origin: Medieval Latin reductiō ad absurdum

Origin: : Latin reductiō, a bringing back, reduction

Origin: + Latin ad, to

Origin: + Latin absurdum, absurdity

Origin: , from neuter of absurdus, absurd

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