modus tollens

noun

A valid form of argument in which the consequent of a conditional proposition is denied, thus implying the denial of the antecedent. Modus tollens has this form

OriginLatin modus tollendō tollēns →
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Meanings

nounmodus tollens (uncountable)

alternative MT

  1. uncountablehuman sciencesA valid form of argument in which the consequent of a conditional proposition is denied, thus implying the denial of the antecedent. Modus tollens has this form

    2. Not Q.

    2 more examples

    1. If P, then Q.

    3. Therefore, not P.

Origin

  1. Latinmodus tollendō tollēns“the mode where the denying denies”
  2. Englishmodus tollens

From Latin modus tollendō tollēns (“the mode where the denying denies”), from modus (“mode”) and forms of tollō (“to take away”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

German Modus tollens
  • Modus tollensa valid form of argument in which the consequent of a condition proposition is denied
Icelandic neitunarháttur
  • neitunarháttura valid form of argument in which the consequent of a condition proposition is denied
Japanese 後件否定
  • 後件否定a valid form of argument in which the consequent of a condition proposition is denied
Persian نفی تالی
  • نفی تالی (nafy-e tâli)a valid form of argument in which the consequent of a condition proposition is denied
Polish modus tollens
  • modus tollensa valid form of argument in which the consequent of a condition proposition is denied
Cite this entry
APA

modus tollens. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modus%20tollens

MLA

“modus tollens.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modus%20tollens. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “modus tollens,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modus%20tollens.

Source: modus tollens on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.