sophism

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sophism specious but fallacious argument. XIV. ME. sophime, -eme — OF. sophime (also mod. sophisme after L. and Gr., to which the Eng. form was later assim.) — L. sophisma — Gr. sóphisma clever device, trick, argument, f. sophízesthai devise, f. sophós wise, clever; see -ISM.
So sophist XVI. — L. sophistēs — Gr. sophister sophist. XIV. sophistic XVI, -ical XV. sophisticate (-ATE3) †adulterate XIV; corrupt, falsify, as by debasing admixture XVII. sophistication XIV. — OF. or medL. sophistry XIV. — OF. sophistrie (mod. -erie) or medL. sophistria.

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