Meanings
- rhetorichuman sciencesA 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 2171 more example
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
- pluralplural of sorite
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
- Ancient Greekσωρῑ́της“fallacy of the heap”
- Latinsōrītēs
- Englishsorites
From the Latin sōrītēs, from the Ancient Greek σωρῑ́της (sōrī́tēs, “fallacy of the heap”), from σωρός (sōrós, “heap”).
More words from Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
sorites. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorites
“sorites.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorites. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sorites,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorites.
Source: sorites on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.