dev·il's advocate (dĕvəlz)
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Tweet n. 1. One who argues against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply for the sake of argument or to determine the validity of the cause or position. 2. Roman Catholic Church An official formerly appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification. [Translation of Medieval Latin advocātus diabolī, one arguing for the devil's plea against canonizing a saint : Latin advocātus, advocate + Late Latin diabolī, genitive of diabolus, devil.] |
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