absurdumn.
/əbˈsəːdəm/, /abˈsəːdəm/, U.S. /əbˈsərdəm/, /æbˈsərdəm/ An absurd or illogical conclusion; (also) an absurd state or condition. Cf. reductio ad absurdum n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > absurdity, incongruity > [noun]
wantonnessc1405
absurdity1529
monstruousness1545
impertinency1573
ridiculousness1573
monstrousness1574
absurd1581
absurdness1582
incongruity1597
fancy1598
delirium1599
monstruosity1604
absurdum1606
foppishness1611
impertinence1616
nonsense1630
impertinentness1645
irrationality1647
monstrosity1651
nonsensicality1652
ridicule1668
ridicule1672
nonsensicalness1674
maggotry1706
preposterousness1727
zanyship1766
ridiculosity1773
drollness1823
stultification1832
nonsensity1834
farcicality1849
cockeyedness1858
1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. F3v To speake wisely to a foole is an absurdum in Reason.
1812 C. Lamb Specim. from Fuller in Misc. Prose (1912) 133 (note) Setting up an absurdum on purpose to hunt it down.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea I. xv. 320 Reducing the theory of Representative Government to the absurdum.
1916 F. Mlynarski Probl. Coming Peace v. 152 This is a reducing of the question to an absurdum, but a bloody absurdum after all.
1929 P.H. Frye Visions & Chimeras 106 Either Sebond, and his theology with him, are reduced to an absurdum..Or else Sebond is justified of his rationalism.
2007 Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Nexis) 9 Oct. 8 Dear readers I rest my case as it has now reached absurdum—unless someone can get an expert..to settle the matter.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1606