sorites

[ saw-rahy-teez, soh- ]

nounLogic.
  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.

Origin of sorites

1
1545–55; <Latin sōrītēs<Greek sōreítēs literally, heaped, piled up, derivative of sōrós a heap

Other words from sorites

  • so·rit·i·cal [saw-rit-i-kuhl, soh-], /sɔˈrɪt ɪ kəl, soʊ-/, so·rit·ic, adjective

Words Nearby sorites

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How to use sorites in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sorites

sorites

/ (sɒˈraɪtiːz) /


noun
  1. logic

    • a polysyllogism in which the premises are arranged so that intermediate conclusions are omitted, being understood, and only the final conclusion is stated

    • 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

Origin of sorites

1
C16: via Latin from Greek sōreitēs, literally: heaped, from sōros a heap

Derived forms of sorites

  • soritical (sɒˈrɪtɪkəl) or soritic, adjective

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