elench

Noun

elench (plural elenchs)

1. That part of an argument on which its conclusiveness depends; that which convinces or refutes an antagonist; a refutation.
   • Reprehension or Elench […] is a Syllogisme, which gathereth a conclusion contrary to the assertion of the respondent, as if a man would defend Medea not to love her childe, because she killed it, another might reason against him in this manner: every Mother loveth her child: but Medea is a Mother...1599, Thomas Blundeville, The Art of Logicke, London: Matthew Lownes, published 1619, Book 6, Chapter 2, p. 186
2. (obsolete) A specious argument; a sophism.
   • But of these Sophisms and Elenchs of marchandize I skill not […]1644, John Milton, Areopagitica, page 40
   • This fallacy in the first delusion Satan put upon Eve, and his whole tentation might be the same Elench continued; so when he said, Ye shall not die, that was in his equivocation, ye shall not incurre a present death, or a destruction immediatly ensuing your transgression.1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, London: Edw. Dod & Nath. Ekins, published 1650, Book I, Chapter 4, p. 10