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reductio ad absurdum

noun re·duc·tio ad ab·sur·dum \ ri-ˈdək-tē-ˌō-ˌad-əb-ˈsər-dəm , -ˈdək-sē-ō- , -shē- , -ˈzər- \

Definition of reductio ad absurdum

1 :disproof of a proposition by showing an absurdity to which it leads when carried to its logical conclusion
2 :the carrying of something to an absurd extreme

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Origin and Etymology of reductio ad absurdum

Late Latin, literally, reduction to the absurd

Learn More about reductio ad absurdum

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reductio ad absurdum

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