enthymeme

E1N1T1H4Y4M3E1M3E1
/ˈɛnθɪˌmiːm/

noun

A by and large statement, a maxim, an argument that is intended to be generally true and not apply to every case universally.

OriginAncient Greek ἐνθύμημα →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounenthymeme (plural enthymemes)

plural enthymemes

  1. rhetoricA by and large statement, a maxim, an argument that is intended to be generally true and not apply to every case universally.
  2. human sciencesA syllogism with a required but unstated assumption.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
maxim

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἐνθύμημα“thought, consideration”
  2. Englishenthymeme

From Ancient Greek ἐνθύμημα (enthúmēma, “thought, consideration”), from ἐν (en, “within, with”) + θυμός (thumós, “soul, life”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch enthymeem
  • enthymeemsyllogism with required but unstated assumption
French enthymème, enthymème
  • enthymèmeby and large statement
  • enthymèmesyllogism with required but unstated assumption
Hungarian entiméma, enthüméma
  • entimémasyllogism with required but unstated assumption
  • enthümémasyllogism with required but unstated assumption
Russian энтимема
  • энтимема (entimema)syllogism with required but unstated assumption
Tagalog maysaisip
  • maysaisipsyllogism with required but unstated assumption
Cite this entry
APA

enthymeme. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enthymeme

MLA

“enthymeme.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enthymeme. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “enthymeme,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enthymeme.

Source: enthymeme on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.