To Deduce

1. (transitive) To reach a conclusion by applying rules of logic to given premises.
2. (obsolete) To take away; to deduct; to subtract.
3. (obsolete, Latinism) To lead forth.

Usage notes

• For example, from the premises "all good people believe in the tooth fairy" and "Jimmy does not believe in the tooth fairy", we deduce the conclusion "Jimmy is not a good person". This particular form of deduction is called a syllogism. Note that in this case we reach a false conclusion by correct deduction from a false premise.

Synonyms

• (reach a conclusion by applying rules of logic): conclude, infer

Antonyms

• (reach a conclusion by applying rules of logic): induce