ipsedixitism
/ˌɪpsiːˈdɪksɪtɪzəm/
ipsedixitism means an unfounded, false and dogmatic assertion; an ipse dixit. It carries an Arena rating of 1737, earned across 6 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, ipsedixitism ranks #258 of 13,220 for Funniest Words, #1,038 of 13,220 for Most Satisfying to Say, #2,086 of 13,220 for Most Sublime Words, #2,913 of 13,220 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
ipsedixitism is pronounced /ˌɪpsiːˈdɪksɪtɪzəm/.
Why “ipsedixitism” is a great word
The dogmatic assertion of a claim based solely on the speaker's own authority, without evidence or proof. From Latin ipse dixit ("he himself said it," a medieval reference to Aristotle's authority) + the suffix -ism. Coined in the late 18th century by Jeremy Bentham. Unlike "dogma," which denotes a codified set of principles, or "axiom," a self-evident starting point for reasoning, ipsedixitism is the arrogant performance of certainty itself. It is the silencing thump of a gavel without a ruling, the dismissive wave that sweeps away contrary data, the cold finality of a statement delivered from behind a lectern—the subtle tyranny of substituting a person for a principle.
Etymology
From Latin ipse dīxit (“he himself said it”, used in the Middle Ages in reference to Aristotle) + -ism. Coined in the late 18th century by Jeremy Bentham.
noun
- An unfounded, false and dogmatic assertion; an ipse dixit.
- The practice of making such assertions.
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