ignoratio elenchi

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɪgnəˈreɪʃɪəʊ ɪˈlɛŋkʌɪ/

noun (plural ignorationes elenchi /-ˈəʊniːz/)

Philosophy
  • a logical fallacy which consists in apparently refuting an opponent while actually disproving something not asserted.

Origin:

Latin, literally 'ignorance of the elenchus'