non sequitur
UK /ˌnɒn ˈsɛk.wɪ.tə/ · US /ˌnɑn ˈsɛk.wɪ.tɚ/ noun
Forms non sequiturs non sequuntur non-sequitur nonsequitur
- noun (narratology) Any abrupt and inexplicable transition or occurrence. “Having a costumed superhero abduct the vicar was an utter non sequitur in the novel.”
- noun (logic) Any invalid argument in which the conclusion cannot be logically deduced from the premises.
- noun A statement that does not logically follow a statement that preceded it.
- noun (comedy) A kind of pun that uses a change of word, subject, or meaning to make a joke of the listener’s expectation.
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Antonyms
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin nōn sequitur (literally “it does not follow”).
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [L., it does not follow.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “non sequitur”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details