rɛdʌkˈtiːoʊ

Definitions

1. noun

a form of argumentation that involves proving a statement by showing that its opposite is absurd or impossible

“The mathematician used reductio ad absurdum to prove the theorem”

2. noun

a logical fallacy in which a statement is proved or disproved by assuming its truth or falsehood

“The argument was criticized for committing reductio ad absurdum”

3. noun

a form of literary or rhetorical device in which a statement is proved or disproved by showing that its opposite is absurd or impossible

“The philosopher used reductio ad absurdum to argue against the idea”

4. noun

a method of proof or disproof that involves showing that the opposite of the statement is absurd or impossible

“The mathematician used reductio ad absurdum to prove the theorem”

5. noun

a form of argument or proof that involves showing that the opposite of the statement is absurd or impossible

“The philosopher used reductio ad absurdum to argue against the idea”

6. noun

a method of proof or disproof that involves showing that the opposite of the statement is absurd or impossible

“The mathematician used reductio ad absurdum to prove the theorem”

7. noun

a form of argument or proof that involves showing that the opposite of the statement is absurd or impossible

“The philosopher used reductio ad absurdum to argue against the idea”