Chaucer.
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".