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Glite Dictionary
ignoratio elenchi

ignoratio elenchi

9.9
An argument that proves a point not related to the real issue
  • noun
  • /ˌɪɡnəˈreɪʃioʊ ɛˈlɛnki/
  • Formal
translation icon : ignoratio elenchi
  • In her debate, she fell into an ignoratio elenchi by discussing the background of the topic rather than the question asked.

Examples

  • She uses an Ignoratio elenchi fallacy (missing the point) and a variation of the Ecological.

    Blog text (15)

  • The speaker committed an ignoratio elenchi when he argued about unrelated regulations instead of addressing the main issue.

  • She uses an Ignoratio elenchi fallacy (missing the point) and a variation of the Ecological Fallacy (a sub-type of the fallacy of composition).

    Blog text (15)

  • When he argued that the new policy was effective by pointing out unrelated statistics, he showcased an ignoratio elenchi fallacy.

Synonyms

fallacy
vsignoratio elenchi
94 7.2

A wrong belief that comes from bad reasoning

is a specific argumentative error that proves an irrelevant point rather than addressing it
logical fallacy
vsignoratio elenchi
9 7.6

A mistake in thinking that makes an argument wrong or weak

is a subtype that proves an irrelevant point instead of the point at issue

Surface Forms

ignoratio elenchi singular
ignoratio elenchis plural

Morphology

ignoratio + elenchi

This is a specialized Latin technical term whose constituent elements are not English words a B1 learner would know, and the overall meaning ('irrelevant conclusion') cannot be derived from the given parts. Because the components are opaque to typical learners and the phrase functions as a fixed scholarly label, its sense is unpredictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Ignoratio elenchi comes from Latin and gives a clear image: ignoratio means 'not knowing' and elenchi means 'the point to answer', so it is like someone answering the wrong question, kicking the ball into the wrong goal. That's why it means 'making an argument that misses the point'.