syllogism
syl.lo.gism \'sil-*-.jiz-*m\ \.sil-*-'jis-tik\ \-ti-k*l\ \-ti-k(*-)le-\ n
[ME silogisme, fr. MF, fr. L syllogismus, fr. Gk syllogismos,] fr.
syllogizesthai to syllogize, fr. syn- + logizesthai to calculate, fr. logos
reckoning, word - more at LEGEND 1: a deductive scheme of a formal argument
consisting of a major and a mino r premise and a conclusion (as in "every
virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable")
2: deductive reasoning 3: a subtle, specious, or crafty argument -
syl.lo.gis.tic aj