deductive — reaching a logical conclusion by reasoning from general principles to specific cases
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: reaching a logical conclusion by reasoning from general principles to specific cases
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈdʌktɪv/
Example Sentences
- My mom's deductive skills are scary: 'You ate cookies because there are crumbs on your shirt.'
- Using deductive reasoning, if all cats hate water and Fluffy is a cat, then Fluffy hates baths.
- Scientists use deductive methods to test their hypotheses in controlled experiments.
deductive
ADJECTIVE[/dɪˈdʌktɪv/]
reaching a logical conclusion by reasoning from general principles to specific cases
Sherlock-style detective uses deductive reasoning to identify the thief from tiny clues.
Deductive thinking stays productive, despite tricks seductive!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin 'deducere', meaning 'to lead down' or 'to draw down'. The term evolved to describe the logical process of deriving specific conclusions from general principles, literally 'drawing down' reasoning from the general to the particular.
Breakdown
de- (down, away) + duc- (lead, guide) + -ive (adjective suffix indicating a quality or tendency). The morphological structure reflects the original Latin sense of leading or drawing reasoning downward from general premises to specific conclusions.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom's deductive skills are scary: 'You ate cookies because there are crumbs on your shirt.'”
“Using deductive reasoning, if all cats hate water and Fluffy is a cat, then Fluffy hates baths.”
“Scientists use deductive methods to test their hypotheses in controlled experiments.”
“His deductive conclusion: since the pizza box is empty and his roommate looks guilty, case solved!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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