Definition of a fortiori in English:
a fortiori
adverb & adjective ˌɑː fɔːtɪˈɔːriːˌeɪ fɔːtɪˈɔːrʌɪ
Used to express a conclusion for which there is stronger evidence than for a previously accepted one.
as adverb they reject all absolute ideas of justice, and a fortiori the natural-law position
Example sentencesExamples
- Were it not so, we should have required the a fortiori reasoning for the third degree only.
- In this way the connexive concept of implication accounts for a necessary presupposition of all conditional and a fortiori logical orientation.
- What then is the conclusion which in true a fortiori fashion is supposed to follow resoundingly from the weaker premise?
- There is a fortiori no meaningful content to the ‘proposition’ that such a distance has changed and still more so no meaningful content to the ‘proposition’ that such a distance is changing either at a uniform or at a non-uniform rate
- That's an argument a fortiori: If something less likely is true, then something more likely will probably be true as well.
Origin
Early 17th century: Latin, from a fortiori argumento 'from stronger argument'.
Rhymes
a posteriori, a priori, memento mori, sori, thesauri, tori