synthesis

[ sin-thuh-sis ]

noun

, plural syn·the·ses [sin, -th, uh, -seez].

1. the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity ( analysis ).
2. a complex whole formed by combining.
3. Chemistry. the forming or building of a more complex substance or compound from elements or simpler compounds.
4. Philosophy. the third stage of argument in Hegelian dialectic, which reconciles the mutually contradictory first two propositions, thesis and antithesis.
5. Biology. modern synthesis, a consolidation of the results of various lines of investigation from the 1920s through the 1950s that supported and reconciled the Darwinian theory of evolution and the Mendelian laws of inheritance in terms of natural selection acting on genetic variation.
6. Psychology, Psychiatry. the integration of traits, attitudes, and impulses to create a total personality.

synthesis

/ ˈsɪnθɪsɪs /

noun

1. the process of combining objects or ideas into a complex whole Compare analysis
2. the combination or whole produced by such a process
3. the process of producing a compound by a chemical reaction or series of reactions, usually from simpler or commonly available starting materials
4. linguistics the use of inflections rather than word order and function words to express the syntactic relations in a language Compare analysis
5. archaic.
   philosophy synthetic reasoning
6. philosophy
   1. (in the writings of Kant) the unification of one concept with another not contained in it Compare analysis
   2. the final stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that resolves the contradiction between thesis and antithesis

synthesis

/ sĭn′thĭ-sĭs /

, Plural syntheses sĭn′thĭ-sēz′

1. The formation of a chemical compound through the combination of simpler compounds or elements.

Derived Forms

• ˈsynthesist, noun

Other Words From

• synthe·sist noun
• non·synthe·sis noun plural nonsyntheses
• re·synthe·sis noun plural resyntheses

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesis¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin, from Greek sýnthesis, from syn- syn- + the- (stem of tithénai “to put, place”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

Palmer's inability to reach a synthesis in almost any area of his life is what makes him exasperating.

From The Daily Beast

I may get the whole synthesis of something, or most of it, an initial impact.

From The Daily Beast

David Frum on Allen Guelzo's compendious synthesis of new thinking about slavery and its aftermath.

From The Daily Beast

Almost all Christians, even most textualists, accept the need for exegesis, synthesis, and theological application.

From The Daily Beast

This was code: the Hebrew writers of Zionism were now reprising this Hellenizing genius and synthesis.

From The Daily Beast

But where there is no existing relation between the words or ideas, it is a case for Synthesis, to be taught hereafter.

From Project Gutenberg

In such cases, Synthesis, which is taught hereafter, develops an indirect relation.

From Project Gutenberg

Synthesis will be sometimes hereafter resorted to to connect in our minds an event to its date.

From Project Gutenberg

Recollective Synthesis or Thoughtive Unification is used where no relation exists.

From Project Gutenberg

Dorlands Dictionary: Synthesis—The artificial building up of a chemic compound by the union of its elements.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amalgam
• fusion