ˈsäfə̇strē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English sophistrie, from Middle French, from sophistre sophist + -ie -y — more at sophister
1. : reasoning that is superficially plausible but actually fallacious
his masterful but irresponsible sophistry
2. : the employment of sophisms : disputation in the actual or supposed manner of the Sophists
rhetorical sophistry
3. : a sophistical argument ; specifically : sophism
a maze of sophistries
4. : the doctrines, principles, or practices of the ancient Sophists
the history of sophistry