analogous

The adjective analogous, which derives from the Latin term analŏgus, is used to qualify what has analogy with something else. The concept of analogy, for its part, refers to the similarity bond that exists between two different elements.

To establish a relationship of analogy, it is necessary to carry out a comparison. When finding points in common, similarities or approximations, it can be said that two objects or entities they are analogous.

The search for universal characteristics and abstraction are some of the mental operations that are carried out when trying to establish whether different elements are analogous. A mechanic, for example, can claim that two cars are analogous when, after analyzing the engine, body, and components of each vehicle, discover certain similarities.

In the previous example, it can be seen that two objects are analogous if they can carry out similar functions; is a much greater resemblance than a mere coincidence in its physical aspect, which, in fact, is not necessary for the analogy to be fulfilled. A synonym for this word that serves to highlight this explanation is equivalent: If two computers are analogous or equivalent, then it is expected that they can perform operations of equal complexity with the same efficiency.

The analogy usually appears in the field of psychology. When an individual is sought to learn something through experience, it is appealed to, by induction, to act in the same way in those moments that are analogous. This is because, if a behavior is repeated in similar situations, the Outcome it should be the same.

Within the scope of linguistics, on the other hand, is known by the name of analogy to the action necessary to create discourses according to certain pre-existing models. In this way it is possible to explain the changes that certain forms go through if they are exposed to the similarities that the speakers notice in their minds. In this context we recognize two types of analogy: semantics and the lexical.

The phenomenon called semantic analogy It is the one that takes place when human beings associate a term with an analogous meaning. A clear example can be found in the word miniature, which arose within the scope of art to designate a very small painting, usually made on some delicate surface, such as vellum; Despite its first meaning, this same word is used to refer to any small object.

Our tendency to link each term to a sense in particular, on the other hand, collaborates with the phenomenon that is known by the name of lexical analogy, which can also be found as paronymic attraction, lexical analogy or paretymology. It is the action of creating a meaning by means of the phonetic adaptation of a term or by a semantic alteration. Let's look at some examples below:

* cram, which arises from gorge, to think about the phonetics of lining;
* disinfeste, which arises from disinfect, to think about the phonetics of infest;
* erupt, that should be burp but it arises from the contamination of the term eruption, which refers to a violent expulsion of gas or volcanic material;
* plaster, which arises from sticking plaster, to think about the phonetics of rag.

The establishment of analogies is very important in the right. The jurisprudence allows to judge analogous cases through a comparison of the facts. If as responsible for a situation X a man was sentenced to five years in prison, when another subject performs a similar action, his act will be framed in the same legal framework by analogy.

For the biologyFinally, the organs are analogous when they adopt a similar aspect for the development of a function, as in the case of birds with their wings.