devil's advocate
n. - 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.
- Roman Catholic Church. An official appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification.
[Translation of Medieval Latin advocatus diaboli, one arguing for thedevil's plea against canonizing a saint : Latin advocatus, advocate + Late Latin diaboli, genitive of diabolus, devil.] |