Adduced

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To introduce specific evidence or reasoning to substantiate a claim or argument
2. Offered as proof or justification for an idea or assertion
3. Cited in order to support or strengthen an argument or statement

Etymology: "Adduced" is the past form of "adduce," which English took from Latin "addūcere," meaning "to lead or bring to." The Latin verb combines "ad-" ("to") with "dūcere" ("to lead"), the same root that gives English "duke," a leader, and "duct," a channel that leads something along. So at its core, the idea is of bringing something forward toward a point. That physical sense of leading or bringing toward is the root of the modern meaning. To adduce a fact or piece of evidence is to bring it forward in support of an argument, which is how a speaker or writer leads the listener toward a conclusion. The word arrived in English in Middle English, through "adducen," before settling into the legal and scholarly vocabulary where it is most often used today.

Synonyms: presented, offered, submitted

Antonyms: withheld