What does the Greek word elenchus mean *?

Answer:

one that disproves a proposition by proving the direct contrary of its conclusion. Origin of elenchus. Classical Latin from Classical Greek elenchos, cross-examination, refutation from elenchein, to shame, refute.

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/ ɪˈlɛŋ kəs /

noun, plural e·len·chi [ih-leng-kahy, -kee]. /ɪˈlɛŋ kaɪ, -ki/.

a logical refutation; an argument that refutes another argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion.

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1655–65; <Latin <Greek élenchos refutation

elementary particles, elementary process, elementary school, elemi, Elena, elenchus, elenctic, Elenore, eleoptene, elepaio, elephant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

rebuttal, argument, confutation, disproof

noun plural -chi (-kaɪ) logic

refutation of an argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion, esp syllogistically

Socratic elenchus the drawing out of the consequences of a position in order to show them to be contrary to some accepted position

C17: from Latin, from Greek elenkhos refutation, from elenkhein to put to shame, refute

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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A logical refutation, esp. one that disproves a proposition by proving the direct contrary of its conclusion.