refutation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions

   Your refutation of the charges was short and persuasive.

2. 2
   noun

   An act of refuting or disproving; the disproving of an argument, opinion, testimony, doctrine or theory by argument or countervailing proof; evidence of falseness.

   Near-synonyms: rebuttal (see note), counterargument, counterassertion, counterclaim, denial.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of determining that something is false

4. 4
   noun

   any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something

Borrowed from Middle French refutation (compare French réfutation, Spanish refutación, Portuguese refutação, Italian refutazione) or its etymon Latin refūtātiō, from refūtō + -ātiō. By surface analysis, refute + -ation. First attested in 1536 (in sense 1).

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