a-, ab-, abs- +

From the absurd.

When a person argues ab absurdo, he/she is trying to establish the validity of her/his position by pointing out the ridiculousness (absurdity) or foolishness of the opponent’s arguments.

Although an argument ab absurdo may “demolish” an opponent’s position in debate, it does not necessarily prove the validity of that person’s position. The only thing that may be accomplished is that the ab absurdo argument may make the other party seem to be foolish or illogical.

Inference from what has happened to what will happen is valid.

Since the beginning of time.

Literally, “from eternity” or of “no date of origin”.

1. Out of action.
2. Obsolete or retired.

Expect from others what you have done to them.

Prout vultis ut faciant vobis homines, et vos facite illis similiter, “As you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner.” From the Latin Vulgate, Luke 6:31; which is a Latin version of the Bible produced by Saint Jerome in the 4th century.

From Latin vulgata editio, “edition made public, edition for ordinary people” a version used by the Roman Catholic Church.

From before or in advance.

Example: making up one’s mind ab ante.

Literally, "wool from an ass [donkey]".

Its more modern meaning is “Trying to get blood from a stone or a turnip” or anyone who tries to achieve the impossible is bound to fail.

Abridged, shortened, cut short.

The -brev- in this word comes from Latin brevis, "short", which is also the source of brief. Therefore, abbreviate means to make briefer, to make shorter by combining or omitting.

1. One who abdicates or renounces.
2. Forsaking, or deserting: "He was abdicant of his duty."

1. To proclaim or declare to be no longer one's own, to disclaim, disown, cast off; especially, to disown or disinherit children. Now only as a technical term of Roman Law (Latin abdicare filium, also abdicare patrem).
2. To formally give up (a right, trust, office, or dignity); to renounce, lay down, surrender, abandon; at first implying voluntary renunciation, but now including the idea of abandonment by default.
3. To renounce or relinquish sovereignty, or its equivalent.
4. To renounce, to reject, to resign.

A king who abdicates renounces or swears away his kingly privileges and duties.

1. The action of formally renouncing, disowning, or casting off. Now only applied to the disowning of a son in Roman Law.
2. Resignation, surrender, renunciation (generally).
3. Resignation or abandonment, either formal or virtual, of sovereignty or other high trust.
4. Formal renunciation or relinquishment of the ownership of goods by an insurer to the underwriters; abandonment.

1. Someone who abdicates or who gives up a high office, formally or officially; especially, a royal throne.
2. Anyone who fails to fulfill a duty or responsibility: "The manager of the store was an abdicator of his duties."

1. To lead, take away, or carry off improperly, whether by force or fraud; to carry off, to kidnap. Applied especially to the illegal carrying off of a woman or child.
2. To pull something, e.g., a muscle, away from the midpoint or midline of the body or of a limb; the opposite of adduct.

1. A wandering or straying away; a departure or deviation from what is considered normal or from the socially recognized path.
2. A defect in a lens or mirror, causing a distorted image or one with colored edges.
3. In astronomy, a small periodic change in the apparent position of a star or other astronomical object, caused by the motion of the earth around the sun.
4. A disorder or abnormal alteration in one's mental state.