E-lĕnch', n.

(e-lĕnk') (Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. elenchus, Gr. ἔλεγχος, from ἐλέγχειν, to convict, confute, prove; O. Fr. élenche.] (Logic.) (a.) That part of an argument on which its conclusiveness depends; that which convinces or refutes an antagonist; the refutation of an antagonist by argument. (b.) A vicious and fallacious argument adapted to deceive; a sophism.