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A Fortiori (Legal Definition And Meaning: All You Need To Know)

Looking for the meaning of A Fortiori?

What does a fortiori mean?

What is the legal definition of a fortiori in simple terms?

Keep reading as we have gathered exactly the information that you need!

Let me explain to you what a fortiori means!

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A Fortiori Meaning

A fortiori is a Latin term meaning “from the stronger”.

If you are making a legal argument or drawing a conclusion that is more obvious or evident, you are making a fortiori argument.

For example, if a tax law is difficult for many lawyers to understand, a fortiori, it will be more difficult for the layperson to understand as well.

A Fortiori Definition

What is the definition of a fortiori if you were to look up a dictionary?

Now, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a fortiori is defined as:

With greater reason or more convincing force —used in drawing a conclusion that is inferred to be even more certain than another
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When you use the phrase a fortiori in a sentence, it’s generally used to draw a conclusion that is more convincing or obvious.

According to Dictionary.com, a fortiori is a Latin adverb meaning:

For a still stronger reason; even more certain; all the more.
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A Fortiori Legal Definition

What is the legal definition of a fortiori?

According to the Legal Information Institute, a fortiori is defined as:

A Latin term meaning literally ‘from [the] stronger’.
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In essence, when you use the phrase a fortiori in legal writing, you are presenting a legal argument based on another.

For example, if one fact was considered to be true, then you can infer that another fact can be true as well.

A Fortiori Argument

The notion of a fortiori argument is one where you present an argument based on a set of facts or prior arguments.

For example, if a person is dead, then you can present a strong a fortiori argument that the person’s heart is no longer beating.

In Latin, a fortiori argument is referred to as Argumentum a fortiori meaning an argument from the stronger reason.

A Fortiori Example

Let’s look at a few examples of how we use the phrase a fortiori to better understand the concept:

  • If a person was in jail, a fortiori he could not be a suspect for today’s murder case
  • If the statute violates the constitution, a fortiori the courts will not enforce it
  • If the woman is blind, a fortiori she will not be able to see the beauty of nature 

Meaning of A Fortiori Takeaways 

So what does A Fortiori mean in simple terms?

How do you define a fortiori?

Let’s look at a summary of our findings.

Understanding A Fortiori

  • If you look up the English dictionary, a fortiori is defined as an argument, a fact, or something used to draw a convincing conclusion 
  • From a legal perspective, it’s used in inferring an argument from a set of facts or evidence that is logically true
  • In Latin, the notion Argumentum a fortiori refers to a subsequent argument presented based on the strong confidence of an initial argument 
A contrario
A fighting chance
A foregone conclusion
A forlorn hope
A free ride
A good deal 
A grain of allowance 
A maiore ad minus
A minore ad maius 
A priori
Reductio ad absurdum 
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What is argumentation theory 
What is rhetoric
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Author

Editorial Staffhttps://lawyer.zone
Hello Nation! I'm a lawyer and passionate about law. I've practiced law in a boutique law firm, worked in a multi-national organization and as in-house counsel. I've been around the block! On this blog, I provide you with golden nuggets of information about lawyers, attorneys, the law and legal theories. Enjoy!

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