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sorites

[ saw-rahy-teez, soh- ]

noun

, Logic.
  1. a form of argument having several premises and one conclusion, capable of being resolved into a chain of syllogisms, the conclusion of each of which is a premise of the next.


sorites

/ sɒˈraɪtiːz; sɒˈrɪtɪkəl /

noun

  1. logic
    1. a polysyllogism in which the premises are arranged so that intermediate conclusions are omitted, being understood, and only the final conclusion is stated
    2. a paradox of the form

      these few grains of sand do not constitute a heap, and the addition of a single grain never makes what is not yet a heap into a heap: so no matter how many single grains one adds it never becomes a heap

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • soritical, adjective
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Other Words From

  • so·rit·i·cal [saw-, rit, -i-k, uh, l, soh-], so·ritic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sorites1

1545–55; < Latin sōrītēs < Greek sōreítēs literally, heaped, piled up, derivative of sōrós a heap
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sorites1

C16: via Latin from Greek sōreitēs, literally: heaped, from sōros a heap
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Example Sentences

Now the rest is concluded by a sorites of foure degrees: As yr, is unto yi: so by the 12.

Among these logical puzzles are the following: Sorites, the heap trick.

Two modes of abbreviating a Polysyllogism, are usually discussed, the Epicheirema and the Sorites.

Certainly the sorites-like form of statement in the scheme of causation had charms for Oriental thinkers.

The Sorites uses several middle terms by which the predicate of the last proposition is connected with the first subject.

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