reductio ad absurdum Hear it!

reductio ad absurdum definition

re·duc·tio· ad ab·sur·dum (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

Etymology: L, reduction to absurdity

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

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.