ˈsin(t)thəsə̇s noun
( plural synthe·ses -thəˌsēz)
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, literally, action of putting together, from the stem of syntithenai to put together (from syn- + tithenai to put, place) + -sis — more at do
1. : a loose garment of ancient Rome sometimes worn in place of the more formal toga
2.
a. : composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole
synthesis of those arts … completely blended to achieve … performance at its finest — Miles Kastendieck
b. : the production of a chemical compound by the union of elements or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound especially by laboratory or industrial methods
synthesis of water from hydrogen and oxygen
synthesis of ascorbic acid from glucose
synthesis of phthalic anhydride by oxidation of naphthalene
broadly : the artificial production of a substance — constrasted with analysis ; compare biosynthesis , photosynthesis , reaction
c. : the combining of often varied and diverse ideas, forces, or factors into one coherent or consistent complex ; also : the complex so formed
a summa is a synthesis of the philosophy of an age
only political parties can produce the synthesis or compromise of interest necessary to make representative government work — D.D.McKean
3.
a. : deductive reasoning from general principles or causes to particular instances or effects
b. : the combination of separate elements of sensation or thought into a whole (as of simple into complex conceptions or of species into genera)
c. Hegelianism : the combination of the partial truths of a thesis and its antithesis into a higher stage of truth — compare dialectic
4. : the combination of radical and modifying elements into single words (as Latin patri to the father) : frequent and systematic use of inflected grammatical forms — contrasted with analysis ; compare polysynthesism