This Week in Words (5-27-07)

Anthropomorphic >adj. relating to or characterized by anthropomorphism.  Having human characteristics.  Anthropomorphic bears and monkeys.

Enfeoff >v. historical (under the feudal system) give (someone) freehold property or land in exchange for their pledged service.  Give (property or land) in this way: the lands were enfeoffed to the baron.

Primogeniture >n. the state of being the firstborn child.  (also right of primogeniture) the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child, esp. the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an interstate passed to the eldest son.

Syllogism >n. an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclussion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs).  Deductive reasoning as distinct from induction: logic is rules or syllogism.

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