enthymeme

American  

[en-thuh-meem] / ˈɛn θəˌmim /

noun

Logic.

1. a syllogism or other argument in which a premise or the conclusion is unexpressed.

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enthymeme British  

/ ˈɛnθɪˌmiːm /

noun

1. an incomplete syllogism, in which one or more premises are unexpressed as their truth is considered to be self-evident

2. any argument some of whose premises are omitted as obvious

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• enthymematic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of enthymeme

1580–90; < Latin enthȳmēma < Greek enthȳ́mēma thought, argument, equivalent to enthȳmē-, variant stem of enthȳmeîsthai to ponder ( en- en- ² + -thȳmeîsthai verbal derivative of thȳmós spirit, thought) + -ma noun suffix of result

Example Sentences

So the enthymeme version of that would be "Aristotle is a man, therefore Aristotle is mortal."

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2014

“Elvis had to die sometime: all men are mortal” is an enthymeme rather than a syllogism, because it makes the assumption that Elvis was human, whereas anyone who has seen Men in Black knows otherwise.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

The enthymeme constitutes a valid form of reasoning only when the suppressed premise is recognized as true.

From Practical Argumentation by Pattee, George K.

In the bald, simple forms here set down, the syllogism and enthymeme are hardly suited to delivery in speeches.

From Public Speaking by Stratton, Clarence

One premise is frequently omitted; the syllogism thus shortened is called an enthymeme.

From Practical Argumentation by Pattee, George K.