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Glite Dictionary
Jesuitic turn

Jesuitic turn

9.9
A clever but tricky argument meant to confuse people
  • noun
  • Slur
translation icon : maniobra jesuítica
  • The lawyer introduced a Jesuitic turn in her closing argument, surprising the jury.

Examples

  • Their discussion took a Jesuitic turn as they tried to outwit each other with logic.

  • When questioned, he replied with such a Jesuitic turn that no one was sure what he meant.

  • Don't fall for that Jesuitic turn he just made!

  • Can you spot the Jesuitic turn in her argument?

  • The lawyer introduced a Jesuitic turn in her closing argument, surprising the jury.

  • Their discussion took a Jesuitic turn as they tried to outwit each other with cunning logic.

  • When questioned, he replied with such a Jesuitic turn that no one could follow his reasoning.

Synonyms

casuistry
vsJesuitic turn
1 9.9

Using clever but wrong reasoning to avoid giving a clear answer

is a general cunning argument not limited to moral questions
Jesuitic reasoning
vsJesuitic turn
  • Offensive
9.9

Very complicated, tricky argument that tries to hide the truth

is a specific cunning argumentative move rather than sustained general reasoning
pilpul
vsJesuitic turn
  • Jargon
9.9

A way of arguing that focuses on small unimportant differences and confuses the issue

is a cunning, deceptive argumentative move rather than mere hair splitting

Antonyms

valid argument
5 3.4

A reason or group of reasons that make sense and are clear

How Cunning

Jesuitic turn
  • Slur
9.9

Surface Forms

Jesuitic turn singular
Jesuitic turns plural

Morphology

Jesuitic + turn

The noun 'turn' (a move or shift) combined with the adjective 'Jesuitic' (relating to Jesuits, often carrying a connotation of subtle or cunning reasoning) yields a meaning like 'a cunning or sly move' that is partly compositional. However, this interpretation depends on cultural/stereotypical knowledge of the pragmatic sense of 'Jesuitic' and is not a straightforward, widely attested compositional pattern, so a B1 learner would not fully predict the idiomatic nuance from the parts alone.

Etymology

Jesuitic turn may come from the idea that Jesuitic refers to Jesuit priests who were known for clever, tricky arguing and that turn means a sudden twist in speech. So the phrase paints the picture of someone making a clever twist in their words, and that's why it means 'a complex or cunning argument'.