polysyllogism

[pol-ee-sil-uh-jiz-uhm]

noun

Logic.

1. an argument made up of a chain of syllogisms, the conclusion of each being a premise of the one following, until the last one.

polysyllogism

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsɪləˌdʒɪzəm /

noun

1. a chain of syllogisms in which the conclusion of one syllogism serves as a premise for the next

Other Word Forms

• polysyllogistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysyllogism¹

First recorded in 1830–40; poly- + syllogism

Example Sentences

Polysyllogism, pol-i-sil′ō-jizm, n. a combination of syllogisms.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

This petitio principii vitiates the entire polysyllogism.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sorites is a Polysyllogism in which the Conclusions, and even some of the Premises, are suppressed until the arguments end.

From Project Gutenberg

When the conclusion of one syllogism is used to prove another, we have a chain-argument which, stated at full length, is a Polysyllogism.

From Project Gutenberg

In any Polysyllogism, again, a syllogism whose conclusion is used as the premise of another, is called in relation to that other a Prosyllogism; whilst a syllogism one of whose premises is the conclusion of another syllogism, is in relation to that other an Episyllogism.

From Project Gutenberg