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Webster 1913 Edition

(ē̍-lĕṉk′)

Noun.

;

pl.

Elenchs

(#)

[L.

elenchus

, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to convict, confute, prove: cf. OF.

elenche

(Logic)

(a)

That part of an argument on which its conclusiveness depends; that which convinces of refutes an antagonist; a refutation.

(b)

A specious but fallacious argument; a sophism.

Noun.

[L. elenchus; Gr. to argue, to refute.]

A vicious or fallacious argument, which is apt to deceive under the appearance of truth; a sophism. [Little used.]

In antiquity, a kind of earring set with pearls.

elench ‎(plural elenchs)