IGNORATIO ELENCHI

ignoratio elenchi (ig-n<<schwa>>-ray-shee-oh e-leng-kIor ig-n<<schwa>>-rah-tee-oh i-leng-kee). [Law Latin “ignorance of the conclusion to be proved”] An advocate’s misunderstanding of an opponent’s position, manifested by an argument that fails to address the opponent’s point; the overlooking of an opponent’s counterargument. • This fallacy of logic often involves an advocate’s trying to prove something that is immaterial to the point to be decided.

[Blacks Law 8th]