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ad hominem

[ad hom-uh-nuhm, -nem, ahd‐]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

attacking an opponent's character or motives rather than answering the argument or claim.
appealing to one's prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one's intellect or reason.

ad hominem

/ æd ˈhɒmɪˌnɛm /

adjective

directed against a person rather than against his arguments
based on or appealing to emotion rather than reason

ad hominem

A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ad hominem¹

First recorded in 1580–90 ad hominem for def. 2, and in 1780–90 ad hominem for def. 1; from Latin: literally, “to the man, to the person,” i.e., to the passions or prejudices or interests of the person

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ad hominem¹

literally: to the man

adhocracy adiabat

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