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analogy

a·nal·o·gy [ ə nálləjee ] (plural a·nal·o·gies)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. comparison: a comparison between two things that are similar in some way, often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand

2. similarity: a similarity in some respects

3. biology equivalence between independent parts: equivalence in biological function between body parts or organs that have appeared independently in different plants and animals

4. logic form of reasoning: a form of logical inference, reasoning that if two things are taken to be alike in one way, they are alike in other ways

5. linguistics standardization of linguistic forms: the development or production of linguistic forms and patterns that resemble those already predominating in a language

[15th century. Via French analogie or Latin analogia< Greek analogia "proportion" < analogos (see analogous)]
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