devil's-advocate
devil's advocate
noun
1.
a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.
2.
Also called promoter of the faith. Roman Catholic Church. an official appointed to present arguments against a proposed beatification or canonization of a beatus.
Origin:
1750–60; translation of Neo-Latin advocātus diabolī
1750–60; translation of Neo-Latin advocātus diabolī
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To devil's-advocate
Collins
World English Dictionary
| devil's advocate | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular view, often for the sake of argument |
| 2. | RC Church Technical name: promotor fidei the official appointed to put the case against the beatification or canonization of a candidate |
| [translation of New Latin advocātus diabolī] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Devil's-advocate
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
devil's advocate
1760, translating L. advocatus diaboli, one whose job it is to urge against the canonization of a candidate for sainthood.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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