Ad hominem
WordNet
adjective
(1) Appealing to personal considerations (rather than to fact or reason)
"Ad hominem arguments"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Shortened from the expression argumentum ad hominem, argument at the man (man as in a human being, not man as a male). From argumentum (meaning "argument") + ad (meaning "to" or "at") + hominem, the of homo (meaning "man"). It can also mean attacking the messenger.
Noun
- 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.
- A personal attack.
Adjective
ad hominem
- Of or related to ad hominem.
- Well that's an ad hominem argument.
Adverb
ad hominem
- In an ad hominem manner.
- He tried to make his case by arguing ad hominem.