apagogic
|a-pa-gog-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæpəˈɡɑːdʒɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæpəˈɡɒdʒɪk/
leading away (by indirect proof)
Etymology
'apagogic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apagōgikos' (from ἀπάγωγη/apagōgē), where the prefix 'apo-' meant 'away' and the root 'agō' (or 'agein') meant 'to lead'.
'apagogic' entered scholarly Latin and Medieval Latin as 'apagogicus' (used in logic and rhetoric), and from there it passed into modern English as 'apagogic', preserving its technical logical sense.
Initially it meant 'leading away' (literally), but over time it became specialized to mean 'pertaining to indirect proof or refutation' (e.g., reductio ad absurdum) in philosophical and logical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or employing apagogic reasoning—an indirect method of proof such as reductio ad absurdum (argument by showing a contradiction or absurdity in the opponent's position).
The philosopher presented an apagogic argument to demonstrate the impossibility of the hypothesis.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
tending to lead away or to divert (literally 'leading away'); used figuratively of methods or arguments that remove or exclude alternatives.
Her apagogic strategy served to divert attention from the main issue by eliminating competing interpretations.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/14 09:48