`` Ignoratio elenchi '' can be roughly translated by ignorance of refutation , that is , ignorance of what a refutation is ; `` elenchi '' is from the Greek ( ( Socratic method ) ) , meaning an argument of disproof or refutation . `` Ignoratio elenchi '' can be roughly translated by ignorance of refutation , that is , ignorance of what a refutation could logically be ; `` elenchi '' ( genitive singular of the Latin elenchus ) is from the Greek , meaning an argument of disproof or refutation .