porism

/ ˈpɔːrɪzəm; ˌpɔːrɪzˈmætɪk /

noun

1. a type of mathematical proposition considered by Euclid, the meaning of which is now obscure. It is thought to be a proposition affirming the possibility of finding such conditions as will render a certain problem indeterminate or capable of innumerable solutions

Derived Forms

• porismatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of porism¹

C14: from Late Latin porisma, from Greek: deduction, from porizein to deduce, carry; related to Greek poros passage

Example Sentences

Porism, por′ism, n. a proposition affirming the possibility of finding such conditions as will render a certain problem capable of innumerable solutions.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

The analysis of the writings of all the authors who have treated on the Porism, will form a subject of interest not only for its assigning to every author his fair share of credit for his contributions towards perfecting the poristic method; but for that critical discrimination of principles, which constitutes one of the marked features of Mr. Davies's writings in the arch�ology of geometry.

From Project Gutenberg