Main Entry: syl·lo·gism

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-lə-ˌji-zəm\

Function: noun

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

Date: 14th century

1 : 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”)
2 : a subtle, specious, or crafty argument
3 : deductive reasoning

— syl·lo·gis·tic \ˌsi-lə-ˈjis-tik\ adjective

— syl·lo·gis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb