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syllogism

Syllabification: (syl·lo·gism)
Pronunciation: /ˈsiləˌjizəm/
Translate syllogism | into Italian
Definition of syllogism

noun

  • an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs).
  • deductive reasoning as distinct from induction:logic is rules or syllogism

Derivatives

syllogistic

Pronunciation: /ˌsiləˈjistik/
adjective

syllogistically

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French or Latin from Greek sullogismos, from sullogizesthai, from sun- 'with' + logizesthai 'to reason' (from logos 'reasoning')

syllogism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of syllogism in the British & World English dictionary
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