analogy

 
Pronunciation: /əˈnalədʒi/

noun (plural analogies)

  • a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification: an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies [mass noun]: he interprets logical functions by analogy with machines
  • a correspondence or partial similarity: the syndrome is called deep dysgraphia because of its analogy to deep dyslexia
  • a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects: works of art were seen as an analogy for works of nature
  • [mass noun] Logic a process of arguing from similarity in known respects to similarity in other respects: argument from analogy
  • [mass noun] Linguistics a process by which new words and inflections are created on the basis of regularities in the form of existing ones.
  • [mass noun] Biology the resemblance of function between organs that have a different evolutionary origin.

Derivatives

analogic

Pronunciation: /anəˈlɒdʒɪk/
adjective

analogical

Pronunciation: /anəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)l/
adjective

analogically

Pronunciation: /anəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li/
adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'appropriateness, correspondence'): from French analogie, Latin analogia 'proportion', from Greek, from analogos 'proportionate'