logos
Americannoun
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(often initial capital letter) the rational principle that governs and develops the universe.
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Theology. the divine word or reason incarnate in Jesus Christ. John 1:1–14.
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of logos
First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek lógos “word, saying; speech, discourse; thought, reckoning; proportion, ratio,” derivative of légein “to choose, gather; recount, tell over, speak”; cf. lection
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Explanation
In rhetoric, logos is a method of persuading someone using reason and logic. If you convince your grandpa that climate change is real by showing him scientific data, you're using logos. Philosophers have used the term logos since ancient times. Aristotle was the first to define the word as "reasoned discourse," and considered it one of the major forms of persuasion. Christians adopted logos to mean "the word of God," and Jungian psychology labels the rational part of the human mind as logos. Logos is a Greek word meaning "word, discourse, or reason," and it's the root of logic.
Vocabulary lists containing logos
The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 1
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Introducing Rhetoric: Using the "Available Means" (Chapter 1)
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Academic Vocabulary and Literary Terms, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Adams, who is also a senior associate at Logos Development, said he can’t afford to build housing on his church’s parking lot at 36th and Crawford streets unless the city passes the labor exemption.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2024
Logos Olori also featured on Davido's latest album, Timeless, collaborating on a track called PICASSO.
From BBC • Jul. 26, 2023
We all have to assume there is a Logos for there to be logic.
From Washington Times • Jun. 14, 2023
Logos of other European, Canadian, and Australian police organizations were emblazoned across the site as well, along with that of cybersecurity firm Qintel.
From Reuters • Apr. 5, 2023
Thanks to my constitutional childishness, they have always sounded to me like the names by which the Three Musketeers really should have been known: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.