syllogism

C2 Topic:Communication

UK /ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m/ See IPA manual

Freq #91739

Meanings

1

noun
An argument whose conclusion is supported by two premises, of which one contains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion, and the other contains the term that is the subject of the conclusion; common to both premises is a term that is excluded from the conclusion.

Ever since Aristotle, syllogism has occupied a central place in logic and cast a fateful shadow upon the power of reason. Recognized to be the great conveyor of rationality, allowing reason to reach conclusions of unparalleled universality and necessity, syllogism has equally been acknowledged to be beset by limits.
2

noun
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
3

noun
A trick, artifice; an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument; a sophism.

Thesaurus

Word family

Derived forms pro-syllogismpseudosyllogism

Related forms enthymemesoritessyllogismus

Etymology

From Old French silogisme (“syllogism”), from Latin syllogismus, from Ancient Greek συλλογισμός (sullogismós, “inference, conclusion”). Doublet of syllogismus.

Topics

Communication Philosophy & Reasoning Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# syllogism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m/
**Frequency rank:** 91739

## Meanings
1. An argument whose conclusion is supported by two premises, of which one contains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion, and the other contains the term that is the subject of the conclusion; common to both premises is a term that is excluded from the conclusion.
2. deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
3. A trick, artifice; an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument; a sophism.

## Examples
- Ever since Aristotle, syllogism has occupied a central place in logic and cast a fateful shadow upon the power of reason. Recognized to be the great conveyor of rationality, allowing reason to reach conclusions of unparalleled universality and necessity, syllogism has equally been acknowledged to be beset by limits.

## Derived Forms
- pro-syllogism
- pseudosyllogism

## Related Forms
- enthymeme
- sorites
- syllogismus

## Etymology
From Old French silogisme (“syllogism”), from Latin syllogismus, from Ancient Greek συλλογισμός (sullogismós, “inference, conclusion”). Doublet of syllogismus.

## Topics
- Communication
- Philosophy & Reasoning
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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