Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

elenctic

adjective
Save Word
elenc·​tic
variants: or elenchtic \ -​ŋtik \ or less commonly elenctical or elenchtical \ -​tə̇kəl \

Definition of elenctic

: serving to refute —used of indirect modes of proof —opposed to deictic

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for elenctic

Greek elenktikos, from elenktos (verbal of elenchein) + -ikos -ic, -ical

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about elenctic

Statistics for elenctic

Cite this Entry

“Elenctic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elenctic. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

Comments on elenctic

What made you want to look up elenctic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

exhilarate

Listen to the pronunciation of exhilarate

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

  • cu jedi training
  • The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games