Definition of Ad hominem

1. Adjective. Appealing to personal considerations (rather than to fact or reason). "Ad hominem arguments"

Similar to: Personal

Definition of Ad hominem

1. Noun. (logical fallacy) A fallacious objection to an argument or factual claim by appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim; an attempt to argue against an opponent's idea by discrediting the opponent himself. ¹

2. Noun. A personal attack. ¹

3. Adjective. Of or relating to ad hominem. ¹

4. Adverb. In an ad hominem manner. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ad Hominem

ad absurdum
ad agency
ad baculum
ad banners
ad blitz
ad campaign
ad captandum
ad coelum
ad hoc
ad hoceries
ad hocery
ad hocism
ad hockeries
ad hockery
ad hominem
ad hominem argument
ad hominems
ad hominum
ad idem
ad infinitum
ad interim
ad lib
ad libbed
ad libbing
ad libitum
ad libs
ad litem
ad loc.

Literary usage of Ad hominem

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Works of John Locke by John Locke (1823)
"This is already known under the name of argumentum ad hominem. §21. Thirdly, a third way is to press . § 22. Fourthly, the fourth is the using 4. ..."

2. Democracy and the Organization of Political Parties by Moisei Ostrogorski (1902)
"The arguments ad hominem which are addressed to the electors individually find plenty of scope in the United States, first of all in the classic form of the ..."

3. The Science of Logic: Or, an Analysis of the Laws of Thought by Asa Mahan (1857)
"ARGUMENTUM ad hominem. There are two forms in which what is called the argumen- tum ad' hominem may be properly employed. The first we have already ..."

4. The Early Christian Attitude to War: A Contribution to the History of by Cecil John Cadoux (1919)
"... supporting an argument with one who differs from him, when he speaks, as we say, ad hominem, and is not for the moment necessarily voicing his own view. ..."

5. Sharps and Flats by Eugene Field (1900)
"Argumentum ad Hominem November ty, 188) A PRECOCIOUS Child, having Broken one of his Mother's cut-glass Tumblers, was confronted by his Irate Parent, ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Ad hominem on Dictionary.com!Search for Ad hominem on Thesaurus.com!Search for Ad hominem on Google!Search for Ad hominem on Wikipedia!