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reductio ad absurdum

re·duc·ti·o ad ab·sur·dum [ ri dùkshee ō ad əb súrdəm, ri dùktee ō ad əb súrdəm ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. taking something to absurd lengths: the application of a rule or principle so strictly or literally that the result is ridiculous

2. logical disproof: the disproving of a logical argument by showing that its ultimate conclusion is absurd

3. logical proof: the proving of a logical argument indirectly, by showing that the contradictory argument is absurd

[Mid-18th century. < Latin, "reduction to the absurd"]
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