English

Noun

disconfirmation ‎(plural disconfirmations)

1. (chiefly philosophy, uncountable) Introduction of evidence which conclusively establishes that a belief or hypothesis is not true or which diminishes the acceptability of a belief or hypothesis.
   • 1990, Donald P. Spence, "Theories of the Mind: Science or Literature?," Poetics Today, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 331:

     Once we move our search to the region of the mind, we find that access to the facts becomes much more difficult; as a result, disconfirmation is largely out of reach and metaphor begins to flourish.

2. (countable) A particular fact, observation, or other item of evidence which shows or tends to show that a belief or hypothesis is not true.
   • 1981, Daniel M. Hausman, "John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Economics," Philosophy of Science, vol. 48, no. 3, p. 366:

     One can reduce the disconfirmations of economic generalizations by specifying a margin of error.

Related terms

• disconfirm