analogize
/ə'nælədʤaiz/ Cách viết khác : (analogise) /ə'nælədʤaiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make an analogy; to explain or illustrate something by showing its similarity to something else: The core meaning involves drawing a comparison between two things, typically to explain a complex or unfamiliar concept by relating it to a simpler or more familiar one.
- To use or employ analogical reasoning: This refers to the process of thinking or arguing based on analogy.
Usage
- Transitive Verb (analogize something to/with something): Used when directly comparing one thing to another.
- You can analogize the structure of an atom to a miniature solar system.
- The teacher analogized the human brain with a powerful computer.
- Intransitive Verb (analogize between A and B): Used when discussing the act of drawing an analogy between two items.
- The author frequently analogizes between political revolutions and natural storms.
- It is common to analogize when trying to simplify complex scientific ideas.
Examples
- Transitive use:
- To explain electricity, he analogized current flowing through a wire to water flowing through a pipe.
- Critics analogize the new policy to putting a bandage on a broken leg.
- Intransitive use:
- Philosophers often analogize between the mind and software running on the hardware of the brain.
- She analogized skillfully, making the abstract concept clear to everyone.
Advanced Usage
- "To analogize from": To create an analogy based on a source or model.
- We can analogize from biological ecosystems to understand social networks.
- In academic/professional contexts: The verb is commonly used in fields like law, philosophy, science, and rhetoric to describe a formal method of explanation or argument.
- The judge cautioned against analogizing the two legal cases too closely, as the facts were different.
Variants and Related Words
- Analogy (n): A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
- He used an analogy comparing life to a journey.
- Analogous (adj): Similar or comparable in certain respects.
- The wings of a bird are analogous to the wings of an airplane in function.
- Analogist (n): A person who makes or uses analogies.
- Analogical (adj): Pertaining to or based on analogy.
- His argument was analogical in nature.
Synonyms
- Compare: To examine the similarities or differences.
- Likening: Representing as similar.
- Equate: To consider or treat as equal or equivalent (often stronger than analogize).
- Draw a parallel: To indicate a similarity.
Antonyms
- Contrast: To compare in order to show differences.
- Differentiate: To recognize or identify as different.
- Distinguish: To perceive or point out a difference.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "To draw an analogy": This is a near-identical phrase to "to analogize."
- She drew an analogy between learning a language and building a house.
- "By analogy": A phrase used to introduce or reference a comparative explanation.
- We can understand this process by analogy with a familiar mechanical system.
Verb
- make an analogy