Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-LENCH', n. [L. elenchus; Gr. ελεγχος, from ελεγχω, to argue, refute.]

1. A vicious or fallacious argument, which is apt to deceive under the appearance of truth; a sophism. [Little used.] Brown.
2. In antiquity, a kind of earring set with pearls. Encyc.