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re·duc·tio ad ab·sur·dum | \ ri-ˈdək-tē-ˌō-ˌad-əb-ˈsər-dəm 
, -ˈdək-sē-ō-, -shē-, -ˈzər-\
, -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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The first known use of reductio ad absurdum was in 1741
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