sorites

[ saw-rahy-teez, soh- ]
/ sɔˈraɪ tiz, soʊ- /

noun Logic.

a form of argument having several premises and one conclusion, capable of being resolved into a chain of syllogisms, the conclusion of each of which is a premise of the next.

Origin of sorites

1545–55; < Latin sōrītēs < Greek sōreítēs literally, heaped, piled up, derivative of sōrós a heap

OTHER WORDS FROM sorites

so·rit·i·cal [saw-rit-i-kuh l, soh-] /sɔˈrɪt ɪ kəl, soʊ-/, so·rit·ic, adjective

Words nearby sorites

sorghum, sorghum beer, sorgo, sori, soricine, sorites, sorn, soroban, sorocaba, sorokin, sorolla y bastida

Example sentences from the Web for sorites

  • The Sorites uses several middle terms by which the predicate of the last proposition is connected with the first subject.

    A Logic Of Facts |George Jacob Holyoake

  • Now the rest is concluded by a sorites of foure degrees: As yr, is unto yi: so by the 12.

    The Way To Geometry |Peter Ramus

  • Two modes of abbreviating a Polysyllogism, are usually discussed, the Epicheirema and the Sorites.

    Logic |Carveth Read

  • Among these logical puzzles are the following: Sorites, the heap trick.

    The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4 |Lucian of Samosata

British Dictionary definitions for sorites

sorites
/ (sɒˈraɪtiːz) /

noun

logic
  1. a polysyllogism in which the premises are arranged so that intermediate conclusions are omitted, being understood, and only the final conclusion is stated
  2. a paradox of the formthese few grains of sand do not constitute a heap, and the addition of a single grain never makes what is not yet a heap into a heap: so no matter how many single grains one adds it never becomes a heap

Derived forms of sorites

soritical (sɒˈrɪtɪkəl) or soritic, adjective

Word Origin for sorites

C16: via Latin from Greek sōreitēs, literally: heaped, from sōros a heap