motte and bailey
The term "motte and bailey" can refer to a type of medieval fortification or a rhetorical strategy used in argumentation.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Medieval Architecture
(historical, technical)A type of medieval fortification with a raised mound topped by a keep and an enclosed courtyard surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade.
Example
- The motte and bailey structure was a common defensive design during the Norman conquest of England.
C1Rhetoric
(informal, logical fallacy)A debating tactic where a controversial claim is defended by retreating to a more defensible, less controversial position when challenged.
Example
- The politician's use of the motte and bailey fallacy made it difficult to pin down their true stance on the issue.