syllogism

noun

syl·lo·gism ˈsi-lə-ˌji-zəm

: a deductive scheme of a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion (as in "every virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable")

: a subtle, specious, or crafty argument

: deductive reasoning

syllogistic

ˌsi-lə-ˈji-stik

adjective

syllogistically

ˌsi-lə-ˈji-sti-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Did you know?

For those trained in formal argument, the syllogism is a classical form of deduction, specifically an argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion. One example is the inference that "kindness is praiseworthy" from the premises "every virtue is praiseworthy" and "kindness is a virtue." Syllogism came to English through Anglo-French from Latin syllogismus, which in turn can be traced back to the Greek verb syllogizesthai, meaning "to infer." In Greek logizesthai means "to calculate" and derives from logos, meaning "word" or "reckoning." Syl- comes from syn-, meaning "with" or "together."

Examples of syllogism in a Sentence

An example of a syllogism is: “All men are human; all humans are mortal; therefore all men are mortal.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This syllogism is embraced by many Democrats, who are determined to recapture an industrial working-class base, and many Republicans, who use it as evidence that the government has sold out American workers in the heartland. —Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 The syllogism works only with two premises and a conclusion. —The Lost Women Of Science Initiative, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English silogisme, from Anglo-French sillogisme, from Latin syllogismus, from Greek syllogismos, from syllogizesthai to syllogize, from syn- + logizesthai to calculate, from logos reckoning, word — more at legend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of syllogism was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century