non sequitur
/nɒn ˈsɛkwɪtər/
noun
Origin
Latin
non + sequitur — not + it follows
Overview
Meaning Now
- A conclusion or reply that does not logically follow from the previous statement or argument.
- In logic, a fallacy in which a conclusion does not follow from the premises.
Literal older meaning
it does not follow
Language path
Latin → Latin → English
Earliest form
non sequitur
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term originated in medieval and Renaissance logic to identify formal fallacies where the inference drawn is invalid because it has no logical connection to the preceding evidence or assertion.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
non sequitur
“it does not follow”
Third-person singular present indicative of 'sequi'
- Middle English / Renaissance
non sequitur
“a statement that does not follow from the premises”
Adopted into English as a technical logical term
Connections
Word parts
non
prefix
not
sequitur
root
it follows (from sequi)
Related across languages
French
s'ensuivre
to follow from
Spanish
seguir
to follow
Explore next
Related to non sequitur
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.