Fallace

Fallace is an Italian adjective meaning deceptive, misleading, or fraudulent. It describes statements, arguments, appearances, or claims that are intended to mislead or are themselves considered misleading in nature.

Etymology and usage context

The term derives from the Latin fallax, fallacis, from fallere “to deceive.” In Italian, fallace is used in formal or critical writing and is typically placed after the noun it describes, as in an affermazione fallace (a fallacious statement) or un ragionamento fallace (a fallacious argument). It can also precede a noun in certain stylistic contexts, though the standard form is noun + fallace.

Nuance

Fallace conveys a stronger connotation than simply incorrect; it implies a flaw in reasoning, a deliberate misrepresentation, or a credible appearance that deceives. It is thus closely associated with falls in logic and rhetoric, similar to but more pointed than ordinary terms like ingannevole or fuorviante.

In English usage

In English, fallace is rarely used except in direct quotations or bilingual texts. The common equivalents are fallacious, deceptive, or misleading. When translated, fallace typically becomes fallacious or a phrase such as “deceptive argument.”

See also

Fallacy; Deception; Misleadingness (noting that the English term fallacy is related but distinct from the Italian adjective fallace).