syllogism 
gism, a syllogism of such a form that the premises of no 
such syllogism can be true without the truth of the con- 
clusion. Biform syllogism, a syllogism in which two 
minors are subsumed under different parts of the major. 
Wolf, 489. Categorical syllogism. See categorical. 
Common syllogism. See common. Complex syllo- 
gism. Same as chain-syllogism. Compound syllogism, 
a syllogism one or both of whose premises are compound 
propositions. Conditional syllogism, a syllogism con- 
taining a conditional proposition. Cryptic, decurtate, 
defective, didascalic, dilemmatic, disjunctive syl- 
logism. See the adjectives. Destructive hypothet- 
ical syllogism. See hypothetical. Dialectical syllo- 
gsm, a probable syllogism considered as proper for rhe- 
rical use. Expository syllogism, a syllogism in which 
both premises are singular propositions. Figured syl- 
logism. See figured. Formal syllogism, a syllogism 
stated in precise logical form. Horned syllogism, a 
dilemma. Hybrid, hypothetical, impure, Indirect 
syllogism. See the adjectives. implicit syllogism, 
an indirect syllogism. Last extreme of a syllogism, 
the minor term. Matter of a syllogism. See matter. 
Modal syllogism. See modal. Multiple syllogism, 
a compound of different syllogisms, the unexpressed con- 
clusions of some serving as premises to others; a sorites. 
Negative syllogism, a syllogism whose conclusion is 
a negative proposition. Particular syllogism, a syllo- 
gism the conclusion of which is a particular proposition. 
Perfect, proper, pure, regular, relative, rhetori- 
cal, singular, sophistic, etc., syllogism. See the ad- 
jectives. Simple syllogism, a syllogism proper, not a 
sorites. Spurious syllogism, a syllogism the conclu- 
sion of which is a spurious proposition : as, Some Ptolemy 
was an astrologer ; some Ptolemy was not an astrologer ; 
hence, some Ptolemy was not some Ptolemy. Universal 
Syllogism, a syllogism whose conclusion is a universal 
proposition. Vicious syllogism, a fallacy or sophism. 
syllogistic (sil-o-jis'tik), a. and n. [= F. syllo- 
gistiqiie = Sp. silogistico = Pg. syllogistico = It. 
sillogistico, silogistico, < L. sullogisticus, < Gr. 
ovA/\ayiaTiii6(;, pertaining to syllogism, < cvf^ay'i- 
(eaffat, infer, conclude: see syllogism."] I. a. 
Pertaining to a syllogism ; consisting of a syllo- 
gism ; of the form of reasoning by syllogisms : 
as, syllogistic arguments or reasoning Syllo- 
gistic proposition, series, etc. See the nouns. 
II. . The art of reasoning by syllogism; 
formal logic, so far as it deals with syllogism. 
Compare dialectic, n. 
syllogistical (sil-o-jis'ti-kal), a. [< syllogistic 
+ -al.~] Same as syllogistic. Bailey, 1731. 
syllpgistically (sil-o-jis'ti-kal-i), adv. In a syl- 
logistic manner; in 'the foi 
means of syllogisms. 
syllogization (sil"o-ji-za'shon), . [< syllogize 
+ -ation.'] A reasoning by syllogisms. Also 
spelled syllogisation. 
From mathematical bodies, and the truths resulting 
from them, they passed to the contemplation of truth in 
general ; to the soul, and its powers both of intuition and 
syUogwalion. Harris, Three Treatises, p. 265, note. 
Syllogize (sil'o-jiz), r.; pret. and pp. syllogized, 
ppr. syllogizing. [Formerly also sillogize; < Gr. 
(rv~A?Myiea8at, reckon all together, conclude, in- 
fer: see syllogism.'] I. intraiis. 1. To reason by 
syllogisms. 
They can sillogize with arguments 
Of all thinges, from the heavens circumference 
To the earths center. 
Times' Whistle (E. E. T. S.), p. 146. 
2. To reason together or in harmony. 
I do very much long for your conversation. There is 
nobody to whom I speak with such unreserved agreeable 
liberty, because we so much sympathise and (to borrow 
Parr's new-coined word) syllogise. To dispute with people 
of different opinions is well enough ; but to converse in- 
timately with them is not pleasant 
Sir J. Mackintosh, To Mr. Moore, Sept. 27, 1800. 
II. trans. To deduce consequences from by 
syllogism. [Rare.] 
Sigier, 
Who, reading lectures in the Street of Straw, 
Did syllogize invidious verities. 
Longfellow, tr. of Dante's Divine Comedy, Paradise, x. 138. 
' form of a syllogism ; by 
Also spelled syllogise. 
syllogizer (sil'o-ji-zer), n. [< syllogize + -eri.] 
One who syllogizes, or reasons by syllogisms. 
Also spelled syllogiser. 
Every syllogizer is not presently a match to cope with 
Bellarmme, Baronius, Stapleton. 
Sir JS. Denny, Speeches, p. 160. (Latham.) 
sylph (silf), n. [= D. silphe, silfe = G. sylplie 
= Dan. sylfe = Sw. sylfe, < F. sylphe = Sp. 
silfo = Pg. sylpho, < NL. sylpha, a factitious 
name, found in Paracelsus, appar. < Gr. ai~A<t/, 
a kind of beetle. Other names of elemental 
spirits (nymph, gnome, salamander) are taken 
from the Gr., only one (nymph) having such use 
in Gr., the others being, like sylph, arbitrary. 
The spelling sylph (NL. sylpha), with y instead 
of i, seems to have been used to make it look 
more like nympli, and because to occultists and 
quacks like Paracelsus words spelled with y look 
more Greek and convincing. As salamander. 
orig. ' a kind of lizard supposed to live in fire,' 
was made, by an easy transfer, to mean 'a 
6124 
spirit of fire,' and gnome, quite arbitrarily (see 
gnome 2 ), was made to mean ' a spirit of earth,' 
so sylph, orig. (in the Gr. aii.Qtj) ' a beetle or in- 
sect,' seems to have been taken as ' a light fly- 
ing creature,' hence 'a spirit of the air.' Ac- 
cording to Littr6 the name was based on an 
Old Celtic word meaning 'genius,' given in the 
Latinized plural forms sulfl, sylfi, sylphi, m., 
snlcese, sulevisi, f.] 1. An imaginary being in- 
habiting the air; an elemental spirit of the air, 
according to the system of Paracelsus, holding 
an intermediate place between material and 
immaterial beings. Sylphs are male and female, have 
many human characteristics, and are mortal, but have no 
soul. The term in ordinary language is used as feminine, 
and often applied figuratively to a young woman or girl 
of graceful and slender proportions. 
I should as soon expect to meet a nymph or a sylph for 
a wife or a mistress. Sir W. Temple. 
2. In ornith., one of various humming-birds 
with long forficate tail: so called from their 
grace and beauty: as, the blue-tailed sylph, 
Cynanthus forficatus. See cut under sappho. 
= Syn. 1. Elf, fay, etc. See fairy. 
Sylpha, n. In entoin., a variant of Silpha. 
sylphid (sil'fid), n. [= D. silfiede = G. sylphide 
= Sw. sylfid = Dan. sylflde, < F. sylphide = Sp. 
silfida = Pg. sylphide; as sylph + -id 2 .] A di- 
minutive of sylph. Also spelled sylphide, and 
sometimes used adjectively. 
Ye sylphs and sylphids, to your chief give ear ; 
Fays, fairies, genii, elves, and dromons, hear. 
Pope, R. of the L., ii. 73. 
Through clouds of amber seen, 
Studded with stars, resplendent shone 
The palace of the sylphid queen. 
J. R. Drake, Culprit Fay. 
sylphine (sil'fin), a. [< sylph + -iwei.] Like a 
sylph ; sylph-like. Webster's Int. Diet. 
sylphish (sU'nsh),a. [<. sylph + -ish^.'] Resem- 
bling a sylph ; sylph-like. Carlyle, Diamond 
Necklace, ii. 
Fair Sylphish forms, who, tall, erect, and slim, 
Dart the keen glance, and stretch the length of limb. 
Poetry of the Antijacobin, p. 126. (Danes.) 
sylph-like (silf'llk), a. Resembling a sylph; 
graceful; slender: as, a sylph-like form. 
sylva, silva (sil'va), . [Prop, silva; = F. sylve 
= Sp. Pg. It. silva, < NL. silva, less prop, sylva, 
< L. silva (misspelled sylva, in imperfect imita- 
tion of the Gr. word), a wood, forest, woodland, 
in pi. poet, trees ; cf. Gr. v^r/, a wood, forest, 
woodland, also wood, timber, material, matter. 
Hence (from L. silva) ult. E. sylvan, sylvatic, 
savage, etc.] 1. The aggregate of the species 
of forest-trees over a certain territory. 2. A 
description of forest-trees. 
sylvage (sil'vaj), n. [< sylra + -age.} The 
state of being sylvan. 
The garden by this time was completely grown and fin- 
ished; the marks of art were covered up by the luxuri- 
ance of nature ; the winding walks were grown dark ; the 
brook assumed a natural sylvage; and the rocks were 
covered with moss. Goldsmith, Tenants of the Leasowes. 
sylvan, silvan (sil'van), a. and w. [Prop, sil- 
van; = F. sylvain = Sp. Pg. silvano = It. silvano, 
selvano, < L. silvamis, misspelled syhanus, per- 
taining to a wood or forest, < silva, a wood : see 
sylva.] I. a. 1. Of or pertaining to a wood or 
forest; forest-like; hence, rural; rustic. 
All sylvan offsprings round. Chapman, Odyssey, xix. 
So wither'd stumps disgrace the sylvan scene, 
No longer fruitful, and no longer green. 
Cowper, Conversation, 1. 52. 
2. Abounding with woods ; woody; shady. 
Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm. 
A sylvan scene. Milton, P. L., iv. 140. 
II. 11. A fabled deity of the wood; a satyr; a 
faun; sometimes, a rustic. 
The Syluanes, Fawnes, and Satyrs are the same 
The Greekes Paredrij call, the Latines name 
Familiar Spirits. 
Heywood, Hierarchy of Angels, p. 512. 
Her private orchards, wall'd on ev'ry side, 
To lawless syloang all access deny'd. 
Pope, tr. of Ovid's Metamorph., xiv. 20. 
sylvanite (sil'van-it), n. [< (Tran)sylvan(ia), 
where it occurs, + -ifc 2 .] A native telluride of 
gold, silver, and sometimes lead, it occurs crystal- 
lized and massive, of a steel-gray to silver-white color 
and brilliant metallic luster. The crystals are often so ar- 
ranged in parallel position on the rock surface as to re- 
semble written characters : it is hence called graphic tel- 
lurium or graphic gold. 
sylvate (sil'vat), . [< sylv(ic) + -ofei.] A 
salt of sylvic acid. 
sylvatic (sil-vat'ik), a. [Prop, silvatic; < L. 
silvaticus, < silva, a wood: see sylva; cf. sav- 
age.'] Sylvan; relating to woods. Bailey, 1731. 
Sylvicolae 
sylvestert (sil-ves't&r), a. [Prop. Silvester; < F. 
sylrestre = Sp. Pg. silvestre = It. silvcstre, silves- 
tro, < L. silrestris, of or belonging to a wood, < 
sili'a, a wood: see sylva.] Sylvestral. 
One time a mighty plague did pester 
All beasts domestick and sylmster. 
Tom Brown, Works, IV. 318. (Domes. ) 
sylvestral (sil-ves'tral), a. [Prop, xilccstrial; 
< sylvestcr + -al.'] 'Of or pertaining to the 
woods; sylvestrian; hence, wild. 
Sylvestral ivies of great age may be found in woods on 
the western coasts of Britain that have apparently never 
flowered. Encyc. Brit., XIII. 527. 
sylvestrian 1 (sil-ves'tri-an), a. [Prop, silves- 
trian ; < L. Silvester, silvestris, of or pertaining 
to a wood or forest, < silva, a wood : see sylva. "\ 
Sylvan; inhabiting the woods. [Rare.] 
With roses interwoven, poplar wreaths 
Their temples bind, dress of sylcestrian gods ! 
Gay, On Wine, 1. 131. 
Sylvestrian 2 (sil-ves'tri-an), n. One of an order 
of Roman Catholic monks under the Benedictine 
rule, confirmed by Pope Innocent IV. in 1247. 
Sylvia (sil'yi-ji), . [NL. (Scopoli, 1769), also 
Silvia (Cuvier, 1800), < L. silva, sylva, a wood, a 
forest.] 1. In ornith.: (a) A genus of small den- 
tirostral or turdoid oscine passerine birds, typi- 
cal of the family Sylviidee; the warblers proper. 
This genus was originally constituted for a part of the Lin- 
nean genus ilotaciUa, and has been loosely used for several 
hundred small warbler-like birds of both hemispheres, now 
dissociated in different families. The name is commonly 
attributed to Latham (1790), but was first used by Scopoli in 
1769. The type is now assumed to be the common white- 
throat, MotacUla Sylvia of Linnreus, Sylvia cinerea of Bech- 
stein, also called S. rufa; and the term is restricted to a 
few very closely related species of chiefly Palearctic war- 
blers, of small size, with scutellate tarsi, bristled gape, 
twelve tail-feathers, axillaries never yellow, first primary 
spurious, and -the bill strictly sylviine. Some of the lead- 
ing species in this narrow sense are S. nisoria, the barred 
warbler; S. Aorteni8,thepettichapsorgarden-warbler(8ee 
cut under pettichaps); S. curruca, the lesser whitethroat; 
S. atricapilla, the blackcap; S. orphea, the orphean war- 
bler. These, like 5. cinerea, are all found in Great Britain. 
No bird of this genus occurs in America, though most of 
the American warblers which were known to the older 
ornithologists were placed in Sylvia, (g) [?. c.] A 
warbler; a species of the genus Sylvia, or some 
similar bird. 2. In entoin.: (a) A genus of 
dipterous insects. Desvoidy, 1830. (6) A ge- 
nus of arachnidans. Gervais, 1849. 
sylvian 1 (sil'vi-an), a. and n. [< Sylvia + -an 3 .'] 
I. a. Of or pertaining to the genus Sylvia, or 
family Sylciidx; being, related to, or resem- 
bling a member of the Sylviidee; warbler-like. 
See warbler, Sylviidee, Sylvicolidse. 
II. n. One of the warblers ; a member (a) of 
the genus Sylvia or family Sylviidx of the Old 
World, or (6) of the family Mniotiltidie of Amer- 
ica. See these words, and warbler. 
Sylvian 2 (sil'yi-an), a. [< Sylvius (see def.) + 
-3.] Relating or named from the anatomist 
Jacques Dubois, Latinized Sylvius (1478-1555): 
specifically applied in anatomy to several parts. 
Sylvian aqueduct. See aquseductw Sylvii. Sylvlaji 
artery, the middle cerebral artery, lying in the Sylvian 
fissure. Sylvian fissure or sulcus. Same as fissure of 
Sylvius (which see, under fissure). It is the most marked 
and persistent of all the fissures, recognizable in some 
animals the surface of whose cerebrum is otherwise per- 
fectly smooth ; in man it is very deep, and incloses the 
island of Reil, or insula constituted by the gyri operti. The 
name is sometimes restricted to the posterior or horizon- 
tal branch of the fissure, or that part which is commonly 
present in other animals than man. Sylvian ventricle, 
the camera, pseudocode, or so-called fifth ventricle of the 
brain. 
sylvic (sil'vik), . [< L. silva, less prop, sylva, 
a wood, forest, + -ic.] Pertaining to or derived 
from wood. Sylvic acid, one of the acids obtained 
from colophony : same as abietic acid. See abietic. 
Sylvicola (sil-vik'o-la), . [NL., < L. silvicola, 
sylvicola, inhabiting woods, < silva, a wood, + 
colere, inhabit.] 1. In entom., a genus of dip- 
terous insects. Harris, 1782. 2f. In conch., 
a genus of pulmonate gastropods, of the fam- 
ily Helicidse. Humphreys, 1797. 3t. In or- 
nith. : (a) A genus of American warblers, pro- 
posed by Swainson in 1827, for many years in 
use, and giving name to the family Sylvicoli- 
dcP,. It was based upon the blue yellow-backed warbler, 
S. americana, subsequently made the type of the genera 
Chloris (Boie, 1826), Parula (Bonaparte, 1S38), and Comp- 
sothlypte (Cabanis, 1850), and generally applied to the 
species of Dendrceca and some related genera before the 
recognition of the fact that the name was preoccupied. 
It fell into disuse about 1842, and the name of the family 
has since been changed to MniatUlidie or Dendroecidie. 
See these family names, (ft) A genus of Old World 
warblers, based by Eyton upon Sylvia sylvicola, 
the wood-warbler, now known as Phylloscopus 
sibilatiix. 
Sylvicolaet (sil-vik'o-le), 11. pi. [NL., pi. of Syl- 
vicola, q.v.] In ornith., in Sundevall's system, 
a synonym of Duodcciinpcnnatsi. 
