analogy

[ uh-nal-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural a·nal·o·gies.

1. a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based:

   the analogy between the heart and a pump.

   Synonyms: affinity, similitude, resemblance, likeness, comparison

2. similarity or comparability:

   I see no analogy between your problem and mine.

   Synonyms: correspondence

3. Biology. an analogous relationship.
4. Linguistics.
   1. the process by which words or phrases are created or re-formed according to existing patterns in the language, as when shoon was re-formed as shoes, when -ize is added to nouns like winter to form verbs, or when a child says foots for feet.
   2. a form resulting from such a process.
5. Logic. a form of reasoning in which one thing is inferred to be similar to another thing in a certain respect, on the basis of the known similarity between the things in other respects.

analogy

/ əˈnælədʒɪ; ˌænəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. agreement or similarity, esp in a certain limited number of features or details
2. a comparison made to show such a similarity

   to draw an analogy between an atom and the solar system

3. biology the relationship between analogous organs or parts
4. logic maths a form of reasoning in which a similarity between two or more things is inferred from a known similarity between them in other respects
5. linguistics imitation of existing models or regular patterns in the formation of words, inflections, etc

   a child may use ``sheeps'' as the plural of ``sheep'' by analogy with ``dog'', ``dogs'', ``cat'', ``cats'', etc

analogy

1. A comparison of two different things that are alike in some way ( see metaphor and simile ). An analogy attributed to Samuel Johnson is: “Dictionaries are like watches; the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.”

Derived Forms

• analogical, adjective
• aˈnalogist, noun
• ˌanaˈlogically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of analogy¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin analogia, from Greek; analogous, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of analogy¹

C16: from Greek analogia ratio, correspondence, from analogos analogous

Example Sentences

Dr. Butler, the theologian and author of "The Analogy," was born in the town and this house is still to be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

Analogy, it must be confessed, is against Reaumur's opinion; since other kinds of silkworms make their escape by means of a fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

Analogy of physical processes (cutting and burning) appealed to by Sokrates — does not sustain his inference against Protagoras.

From Project Gutenberg

Analogy between Cognition and Pleasure: in each, there are gradations of truth and purity.

From Project Gutenberg

Analogy with Anthoceros confirmed him in his views on the reproduction of ferns.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comparison
• correlation
• metaphor
• parallel