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definitions

ergo

[ur-goh, er-goh]
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conjunction, adverb

therefore.

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RELATED WORDS

accordingly, consequently, hence, so, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, thusly

Nearby words

  1. ergasia,
  2. ergastoplasm,
  3. ergate,
  4. ergative,
  5. ergatocracy,
  6. ergo-,
  7. ergocalciferol,
  8. ergodic,
  9. ergograph,
  10. ergographic

Origin of ergo

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1350–1400

ergo-

1

a combining form meaning “work”: ergograph.
Also especially before a vowel, erg-.

Origin of ergo-

1
combining form representing Greek érgon

ergo-

2

a combining form of ergot: ergotoxine.

Origin of ergo-

2
From French

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

[pohst hohk, er-goh prohp-ter hohk; English pohst hok, ur-goh prop-ter hok er-goh]

Latin.

after this, therefore because of it: a formula designating an error in logic that accepts as a cause something that merely occurred earlier in time.

cogito, ergo sum

[koh-gi-toh er-goh soo m; English koj-i-toh ur-goh suhm, er-goh]

Latin.

I think, therefore I am (stated by Descartes as the first principle in resolving universal doubt).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ergo

British Dictionary definitions for ergo

ergo

1

sentence connector

therefore; hence

Word Origin for ergo

C14: from Latin: therefore

noun

informal short for ergometer (def. 2)

cogito, ergo sum

I think, therefore I am; the basis of Descartes' philosophy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ergo

ergo

c.1400, from Latin ergo "therefore, in consequence of," possibly from *ex rogo "from the direction," from ex "out of" (see ex-) + root of regere "to guide" (see regal).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for ergo

ergo-

pref.

Work:ergometer.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Culture definitions for ergo

ergo

[(er-goh, ur-goh)]

Latin word meaning “therefore”; usually used to show a logical conclusion: “Birds are warm-blooded animals, and reptiles are cold-blooded animals; ergo, no bird is a reptile.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.