ad hominem
[ ad hom-uh-nuh m -nem, ahd‐ ]
/ æd ˈhɒm ə nəm -ˌnɛm, ɑd‐ /
adjective
appealing to one's prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one's intellect or reason.
attacking an opponent's character rather than answering his argument.
Compare
ad feminam.
Origin of ad hominem
< Latin: lit, to the man
Words nearby ad hominem
ad feminam,
ad fin.,
ad gloriam,
ad hoc,
ad hockery,
ad hominem,
ad inf.,
ad infinitum,
ad init.,
ad initium,
ad int.
British Dictionary definitions for ad hominem
ad hominem
/ Latin (æd ˈhɒmɪˌnɛm) /
adjective, adverb
directed against a person rather than against his arguments
based on or appealing to emotion rather than reason
Compare
ad remSee also
argumentum ad hominem
Word Origin for ad hominem
literally: to the man
Cultural definitions for ad hominem
ad hominem
[ (ad hom-uh-nem, ad hom-uh-nuhm) ]
A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.