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Term or phrase Literal translation Definition and use English pron a fortiori: from stronger An a fortiori argument is an "argument from a stronger reason", meaning that, because one fact is true, a second (related and included) fact must also be true.
When a term begins as pejorative and eventually is adopted in a non-pejorative sense, this is called melioration or amelioration. One example is the shift in meaning of the word nice from meaning a person was foolish to meaning that a person is pleasant. [6] When performed deliberately, it is described as reclamation or reappropriation. [7]
Definitional retreat – changing the meaning of a word when an objection is raised. [23] Often paired with moving the goalposts (see below), as when an argument is challenged using a common definition of a term in the argument, and the arguer presents a different definition of the term and thereby demands different evidence to debunk the argument.
Term Notes References A few sandwiches short of a picnic Used of people perceived as having reduced or limited mental faculties. Numerous derivatives with no known original (e.g. "a few books short of a library"). [citation needed] Able-bodied: There is an implied value judgement comparing a person with a disability versus one without [10 ...
Lists of pejorative terms for people include: List of ethnic slurs. List of ethnic slurs and epithets by ethnicity; List of common nouns derived from ethnic group names; List of religious slurs; A list of LGBT slang, including LGBT-related slurs; List of age-related terms with negative connotations; List of disability-related terms with ...
Prejudice is a legal term with different meanings, which depend on whether it is used in criminal, civil, or common law. In legal context, prejudice differs from the more common use of the word and so the term has specific technical meanings. Two of the most common applications of the word are as part of the terms with prejudice and without ...
Terministic screens – a term coined by Kenneth Burke to explain the way in which the world is viewed when taking languages and words into consideration. Tmesis – separating the parts of a compound word by a different word (or words) to create emphasis or other similar effects. Topos – a line or specific type of argument.
Akrasia (/ ə ˈ k r eɪ z i ə /; Greek ἀκρασία, "lacking command" or "weakness", occasionally transliterated as acrasia or Anglicised as acrasy or acracy) is a lack of mental strength or willpower, or the tendency to act against one's better judgment. [1]