Sorites

Pronunciation

• IPA: /səˈraɪtiːz/

Origin

From the Latin sōrītēs, from the Ancient Greek σωρείτης (sōreitēs, "fallacy of the heap"), from σωρός (sōros, "heap").

Full definition of sorites

Noun

1. (logic, rhetoric) A series of propositions whereby each conclusion is taken as the subject of the next.
• 1760, Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Penguin 2003, p. 130: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

Derived terms

• destructive sorites
• sorites paradox

Anagrams

• rosiest
• sorties
• stories