exception that proves the rule
English
Etymology
It is derived from the medieval Latin legal principle: exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis (the exception tests the rule in the cases not excepted).
Examples |
---|
|
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
exception that proves the rule
- A form of argument in which the existence of a counterexample to a rule is used to demonstrate the fact that a rule exists.
- (idiomatic) The rare occurrence of a counterexample to a rule, used to underscore that the rule exists.
Alternative forms
Translations
a form of argument
|
|
References
- “The exception that proves the rule” in Gary Martin, The Phrase Finder, 1997–, retrieved 26 February 2017.
- “Exception that proves the rule” in Michael Quinion, World Wide Words, 14 September 2002.
- The Straight Dope
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.