| expeditio |
| ex-pe-di'-ti-o | L. "a freeing, a dispatching from difficulties" |
| enumeratio | |
| elimination, the speedie dispatcher | |
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After enumerating all possibilities by which something could have occurred, the speaker eliminates all but one (=apophasis). | |
Although the Ad Herennium author lists expeditio as a figure, it is more properly considered a method of argument (sometimes known as the "Method of Residues" when employed in refutation.) |
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| Examples | ||
| You either made, purchased, or stole the bomb. Since you lack the intelligence to make it and the funds to purchase it, it can only be that you have stolen it. | ||
| Related Figures | ||
| Related Topics of Invention | ||
| See Also | ||
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| Sources: | Primary sources Ad Herennium 4.29.40-41; Peacham (1577) T4r; Putt. (1589) 241 ("expeditio," "the speedie dispatcher"); Day 1599 98 ("expeditio," "enumeratio") | |
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