Counter-example

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The word counter-example originated in mathematics. It means an example that contradicts a general statement; therefore, the single example proves the statement false. Consider the statement

"Every number ending in the digit 7 is prime." 7, 17, 37, 47, 57, and 67 are all prime, but 27 is not, so 27 is a counterexample.

More generally, the word can mean any example that challenges a scientific conclusion.

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