devil'sadvocate

dev·il's advocate (dĕvʹəlz) n.

1. 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.

2. Roman Catholic Church. An official appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification.

  [Translation of Medieval Latin advocātus diabolī, one arguing for the devil's plea against canonizing a saint : Latin advocātus, advocate + Late Latin diabolī, genitive of diabolus, devil.]

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