\Soph"ism\, n. [F. sophisme, L. sophisma, fr. Gr. ?, fr.
? to make wise, ? to be become wise, to play the sophist, fr.
? wise.]
The doctrine or mode of reasoning practiced by a sophist;
hence, any fallacy designed to deceive.
      When a false argument puts on the appearance of a true
      one, then it is properly called a sophism, or
      ``fallacy''.                             --I. Watts.
      Let us first rid ourselves of sophisms, those of
      depraved men, and those of heartless philosophers. --I.
                                               Taylor.