petitio principii

== English == === Etymology === From Latin petītiō prīncipiī (literally “an assumption from the beginning”), calque of Ancient Greek τὸ ἐν ἀρχῇ αἰτεῖσθαι (tò en arkhēî aiteîsthai, “to assume from the beginning”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /pɪˈtɪʃiˌəʊ prɪnˈkɪpiˌaɪ/ (General American) enPR: pə-tĭshʹē-ō' prĭn-sĭpʹē-ī', IPA(key): /pəˈtɪʃiˌoʊ prɪnˈsɪpiˌaɪ/ === Noun === petitio principii (philosophy, logic, uncountable) The logical fallacy of begging the question (i.e., "assuming the conclusion"). (philosophy, logic, countable) A particular argument which commits the fallacy of begging the question; a circular argument.