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syllogisms - 2 dictionary results

syl⋅lo⋅gism

  [sil-uh-jiz-uhm]
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–noun
1. Logic. an argument the conclusion of which is supported by two premises, of which one (major premise) contains the term (major term) that is the predicate of the conclusion, and the other (minor premise) contains the term (minor term) that is the subject of the conclusion; common to both premises is a term (middle term) that is excluded from the conclusion. A typical form is “All A is C; all B is A; therefore all B is C.”
2. deductive reasoning.
3. an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument.
Origin:
1350–1400; < L syllogismus < Gk syllogismós, equiv. to syllog- (see syllogize ) + -ismos -ism; r. ME silogime < OF < L, as above
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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syl·lo·gism   (sĭl'ə-jĭz'əm)   
n.  
  1. Logic A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion; for example, All humans are mortal, the major premise, I am a human, the minor premise, therefore, I am mortal, the conclusion.
  2. Reasoning from the general to the specific; deduction.
  3. A subtle or specious piece of reasoning.

[Middle English silogisme, from Old French, from Latin syllogismus, from Greek sullogismos, from sullogizesthai, to infer : sun-, syn- + logizesthai, to count, reckon (from logos, reason; see leg- in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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