analogical
UK[ˌænəˈlɒdʒɪkəl]US[ˌænəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl]
adj
Based on, involving, or expressing an analogy.
Morpheme Breakdown
ana
log
ical
ana
up, back, throughout
log
word, reason
ical
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'analogical' is built upon the core concept of 'analogy,' which originates from the Greek analogia, meaning "proportion" or "correspondence." This Greek term itself combines the prefix ana- ("according to") with logos ("reason," "ratio"). The literal sense is "a reasoning according to proportion." As the concept entered Latin and later English, it evolved from a mathematical idea of ratio to a more general principle of correspondence or similarity in relationships between different things. The suffix -ical was added to form the adjective, solidifying its meaning as "pertaining to or based on such a correspondence of relations."
Analysis
Structure: ana (up, back, throughout) + log (word, reason) + ical (adjective suffix)
- ana: A Greek prefix meaning "up," "back," "again," or "throughout."
- log: Derived from Greek logos, meaning "word," "speech," "reason," or "account."
- ical: An English adjectival suffix meaning "of or pertaining to," derived from Latin -icalis.
Examples
His argument was more analogical than strictly logical, drawing parallels between society and a living organism.
The linguist proposed an analogical change in the verb's conjugation, modeled on a more common pattern.
Children often use analogical reasoning to understand new concepts by relating them to familiar ones.