reductio ad absurdum
play
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
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of reductio ad absurdum
Late Latin, literally, reduction to the absurd
First Known Use: 1741
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