Logic

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: lŏj'Ä­k, IPA: /ˈlÉ’dʒɪk/
• US enPR: lŏj'Ä­k, IPA: /ˈlÉ‘dʒɪk/
• Rhymes: -É’dʒɪk

Alternative forms

• logick archaic

Origin

From Old French logike, from Latin logica, from Ancient Greek λογική (logike, "logic"), from properly feminine of λογικός (logikós, "of or pertaining to speech or reason or reasoning, rational, reasonable"), from λόγος (logos, "speech, reason").

Full definition of logic

Adjective

1. logical

Noun

1. (uncountable) A method of human thought that involves thinking in a linear, step-by-step manner about how a problem can be solved. Logic is the basis of many principles including the scientific method.
2. (philosophy, logic) The study of the principles and criteria of valid inference and demonstration.
• 2001, Mark Sainsbury, Logical Forms — An Introduction to Philosophical Logic, Second Edition, Blackwell Publishing, p. 9An old tradition has it that there are two branches of logic: deductive logic and inductive logic. More recently, the differences between these disciplines have become so marked that most people nowadays use "logic" to mean deductive logic, reserving terms like "confirmation theory" for at least some of what used to be called inductive logic. I shall follow the more recent practice, and shall construe "philosophy of logic" as "philosophy of deductive logic".
3. (uncountable, mathematics) The mathematical study of relationships between rigorously defined concepts and of proof of statements.
4. (countable, mathematics) A formal or informal language together with a deductive system or a model-theoretic semantics.
5. (uncountable) Any system of thought, whether rigorous and productive or not, especially one associated with a particular person.It's hard to work out his system of logic.
6. (uncountable) The part of a system (usually electronic) that performs the boolean logic operations, short for logic gates or logic circuit.Fred is designing the logic for the new controller.

Synonyms

• (mathematics, study) formal logic, modern logic
• (mathematics, system) formal system
• (philosophy): predicate logic

Related terms

• logician
• logical

Derived terms

Verb

1. (intransitive, pejorative) To engage in excessive or inappropriate application of logic.
• 1884, w, Controversy, Nay, is not the author himself "logicking" against logic, from the beginning of his book to the end ?
2. (transitive) To apply logical reasoning to.
• 2010, James Ellroy, Blood's a Rover, He logicked that one out. He snuck into Haiti and scored herbs to rev him and calm him.
3. (transitive) To overcome by logical argument.
• 2010, Jade Lee, Wicked Surrender, If things had gone as usual this night, if Kit had not logicked her into agreement, then she probably would have opened the door tonight.