Analogy : (noun)
1: an inference that if things agree in some respects they
probably agree in others
2: drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some
respect; "the operation of a computer presents and
interesting analogy to the working of the brain"; "the
models show by analogy how matter is built up"
3: the religious belief that between creature and creator no
similarity can be found so great but that the
dissimilarity is always greater; language can point in the
right direction but any analogy between God and humans
will always be inadequate [syn: doctrine of analogy]
[ant: apophatism, cataphatism]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Analogy : \A*nal"o*gy\, n.; pl. Analogies. [L. analogia, Gr. ?,
fr. ?: cf. F. analogie. See Analogous.]
1. A resemblance of relations; an agreement or likeness
between things in some circumstances or effects, when the
things are otherwise entirely different. Thus, learning
enlightens the mind, because it is to the mind what light
is to the eye, enabling it to discover things before
hidden.
Note: Followed by between, to, or with; as, there is an
analogy between these objects, or one thing has an
analogy to or with another.
Note: Analogy is very commonly used to denote similarity or
essential resemblance; but its specific meaning is a
similarity of relations, and in this consists the
difference between the argument from example and that
from analogy. In the former, we argue from the mere
similarity of two things; in the latter, from the
similarity of their relations. --Karslake.
2. (Biol.) A relation or correspondence in function, between
organs or parts which are decidedly different.
3. (Geom.) Proportion; equality of ratios.
4. (Gram.) Conformity of words to the genius, structure, or
general rules of a language; similarity of origin,
inflection, or principle of pronunciation, and the like,
as opposed to anomaly. --Johnson.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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ANALOGY, construction. The similitude of relations which exist between things
compared.
2. To reason analogically, is to draw conclusions based on this
similitude of relations, on the resemblance, or the connexion which is
perceived between the objects compared. "It is this guide," says Toollier,
which leads the law lawgiver, like other men, without his observing it. It
isAnalogy : which induces us, with reason, to suppose that, following the
example of the Creator of the universe, the lawgiver has established general
and uniform laws, which it is unnecessary to repeat in all analogous cases."
Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 1, c. 1. Vide Ang. on Adv. Enjoym. 30, 31; Hale's
Com. Law, 141.
3. Analogy has been declared to be an argument or guide in forming
legal judgments, and is very commonly a ground of such judgments. 7 Barn. &
Cres. 168; 3 Bing. R. 265; 8 Bing R. 557, 563; 3 Atk. 313; 1 Eden's R. 212;
1 W. Bl. 151; 6 Ves. jr. 675, 676; 3 Swanst. R. 561; 1 Turn. & R. 103, 338;
1 R. & M. 352, 475, 477; 4 Burr. R. 1962; 2022, 2068; 4 T. R. 591; 4 Barn. &
Cr. 855; 7 Dowl. & Ry. 251; Cas. t. Talb. 140; 3 P. Wms. 391; 3 Bro. C. C.
639, n.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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