This essay argues that the Socratic elenchus is a crucible in which some of our most important words, and the concepts they express are tested, melted down, reshaped, and given a new edge. It is a microcosm of the ongoing process of language formation itself, though a sophisticated and self-conscious microcosm which takes advantage of rich and complex linguistic and cultural institutions already in existence. To illustrate this point, a feature of elementary language learning is compared with the cooperative reworking of verbal usage that occurs in a dialectical exchange.
Keywords: Socrates, elenchus, language, elenctic method