Dictionary

sorites en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /səˈɹaɪtiːz/

Etymology

From the Latin sōrītēs, from the Ancient Greek σωρῑ́της (sōrī́tēs, “fallacy of the heap”), from σωρός (sōrós, “heap”).

Meanings

1. (rhetoric) A series of propositions whereby each conclusion is taken as the subject of the next.
   • Electrons are quite as elusive as ghosts; we are only aware of them as the conclusion to a colossal sorites. 1917, Aleister Crowley, Moonchild, Weiser, published 2010, page 217:
   • Why?—he would ask, making use of the sorites or syllogism of Zeno and Chrysippus without knowing it belonged to them.—Why? why are we a ruined people?—Because we are corrupted.——Whence is it, dear Sir, that we are corrupted?—Because we are needy […] ——And wherefore, he would add,—are we needy?——From the neglect, he would answer […]. 1760, Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Penguin, published 2003, page 130:
2. (form-of, plural) plural of sorite
   form of sorite

Forms

Deriveds

sorites paradox · destructive sorites · Goclenian sorites

Relateds

syllogism