reductio
|re-duc-ti-o|
🇺🇸
/rɪˈdʌkʃioʊ/
🇬🇧
/rɪˈdʌkʃiəʊ/
leading back; reduction to absurdity
Etymology
'reductio' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'reductio', where 're-' meant 'back' and the root 'ducere' (in the form 'duct-') meant 'to lead'.
'reductio' passed through Medieval/Scholastic Latin usage (often in logical and rhetorical contexts) and was adopted into English scholarly and philosophical vocabulary mainly as part of the phrase 'reductio ad absurdum'.
Initially, it meant 'a leading back' or 'a reduction' in Latin; over time in English usage it has become specialized to refer especially to the argumentative method of reducing a proposition to absurdity.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a mode of argument (often expressed in the phrase 'reductio ad absurdum') that shows a proposition leads to an absurdity or contradiction; proof by contradiction.
The philosopher used a reductio to show the assumption led to a contradiction.
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Noun 2
(less common) A reduction or bringing back; a drawing back or simplification (from the original Latin sense of 'a leading back').
In medieval texts, reductio could refer to a general act of reduction or return.
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Last updated: 2025/12/01 21:00