Adduce

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈd(j)uːs/

Definitions

1. To cite or present something as evidence or proof in support of an argument or claim
2. To present or introduce evidence or examples that strengthen an argument or claim in order to support a position
3. To offer information or examples as support in an argument

Etymology: The verb "adduce" comes from Latin "addūcere", meaning "to lead or bring to", built from "ad-" ("to") and "dūcere" ("to lead"). That last root is the same one behind English "duke", which once described a military leader who led troops, and "duct", a channel that leads fluids along. Something adduced was thus literally led forward and set before others for inspection. English borrowed the word in the Middle Ages, when it was used in the sense of bringing something forward or citing it. Its modern meaning, to put forward evidence or an example as proof, grew out of that sense of leading a thing up to the listener's attention. The related verb "adduct", a more technical cousin, retains the older idea of drawing a body part toward the middle of the body.

Synonyms: cite, refer, mention, bring forward, introduce

Antonyms: ignore, overlook, disregard