synthesis

[ sin-thuh-sis ]

noun

, plural syn·the·ses [sin, -th, uh, -seez].

1. the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity ( analysis ).
2. a complex whole formed by combining.
3. Chemistry. the forming or building of a more complex substance or compound from elements or simpler compounds.
4. Philosophy. the third stage of argument in Hegelian dialectic, which reconciles the mutually contradictory first two propositions, thesis and antithesis.
5. Biology. modern synthesis, a consolidation of the results of various lines of investigation from the 1920s through the 1950s that supported and reconciled the Darwinian theory of evolution and the Mendelian laws of inheritance in terms of natural selection acting on genetic variation.
6. Psychology, Psychiatry. the integration of traits, attitudes, and impulses to create a total personality.

synthesis

/ ˈsɪnθɪsɪs /

noun

1. the process of combining objects or ideas into a complex whole Compare analysis
2. the combination or whole produced by such a process
3. the process of producing a compound by a chemical reaction or series of reactions, usually from simpler or commonly available starting materials
4. linguistics the use of inflections rather than word order and function words to express the syntactic relations in a language Compare analysis
5. archaic.
   philosophy synthetic reasoning
6. philosophy
   1. (in the writings of Kant) the unification of one concept with another not contained in it Compare analysis
   2. the final stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that resolves the contradiction between thesis and antithesis

synthesis

/ sĭn′thĭ-sĭs /

, Plural syntheses sĭn′thĭ-sēz′

1. The formation of a chemical compound through the combination of simpler compounds or elements.

Derived Forms

• ˈsynthesist, noun

Other Words From

• synthe·sist noun
• non·synthe·sis noun plural nonsyntheses
• re·synthe·sis noun plural resyntheses

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesis¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin, from Greek sýnthesis, from syn- syn- + the- (stem of tithénai “to put, place”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

By then we may well be ready for its patient interaction of opposing ideas, proposing utopian synthesis.

From Los Angeles Times

In messages the couple have shared with the BBC, the anonymous Fiverr user says the audio will be used for research into "speech synthesis".

From BBC

But despite 20 years of intensive research, scientists have been unable to fully elucidate what actually happens during the synthesis of COFs.

From Science Daily

The research team then tested the innovative treatment in mice and in human-derived melanoma cells in the lab and found that the tyrosine nanomicelles reactivated dormant metabolic pathways, triggered melanin synthesis, and inhibited tumour growth.

From Science Daily

An innovative synthesis strategy opened up the way to 2D/3D fused frameworks using inexpensive quinolines as feedstock, report scientists from Tokyo Tech.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• amalgam
• fusion