confutation

[ kon-fyoo-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of confuting.
2. something that confutes.
3. Classical Oratory. the fourth section of a speech, given over to direct refutation.

Other Words From

• con·fut·a·tive [k, uh, n-, fyoo, -t, uh, -tiv], adjective
• uncon·futa·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confutation¹

1425–75; late Middle English confutacioun (< Middle French ) < Latin confūtātiōn- (stem of confūtātiō ), equivalent to confūtāt ( us ) silenced (past participle of confūtāre; confute, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Some are, but others take place silently, as Boyle says, without anyone bothering to write confutations of the old theory.

From Literature

One Simon Geddicus, a Lutheran divine, wrote a serious confutation of this libel upon the fair sex, in 1595, and promises the ladies an expectation of salvation on their good behaviour.

From Project Gutenberg

At such times the sight of that road whence he had looked upwards to her window was a consolation, almost a confutation of her dreams.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a scrupulous confutation of self is to be expected as little from mystic visions as from arrogant dogmatism.

From Project Gutenberg

The idea of a revengeful God is likewise one of that sort, but this idea of divinity being borrowed from a savage nature, needs no further confutation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conflict
• difference
• disagreement
• discrepancy
• dispute
• inconsistency