SYLLOGISMS
Noun
syllogisms
plural of syllogism
Source: Wiktionary
SYLLOGISM
Syl"lo*gism, n. Etym: [OE. silogisme, OF. silogime, sillogisme, F.
syllogisme, L. syllogismus, Gr. syllogismo`s a reckoning all
together, a reasoning, syllogism, fr. syllogi`zesqai to reckon all
together, to bring at once before the mind, to infer, conclude; sy`n
with, together + logi`zesqai to reckon, to conclude by reasoning. See
Syn-, and Logistic, Logic.] (Logic)
Definition: The regular logical form of every argument, consisting of three
propositions, of which the first two are called the premises, and the
last, the conclusion. The conclusion necessarily follows from the
premises; so that, if these are true, the conclusion must be true,
and the argument amounts to demonstration;
Note: as in the following example: Every virtue is laudable; Kindness
is a virtue; Therefore kindness is laudable. These propositions are
denominated respectively the major premise, the minor premise, and
the conclusion.
Note: If the premises are not true and the syllogism is regular, the
reasoning is valid, and the conclusion, whether true or false, is
correctly derived.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition