synthesis

Synthesis means combining a number of different parts or ideas to come up with a new idea or theory. (noun)

An example of synthesis is when you read several books and use all of the information to come up with a thesis on the subject.

See synthesis in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. syntheses

the putting together of parts or elements so as to form a whole
a whole made up of parts or elements put together
Chem. the formation of a complex compound by the combining of two or more simpler compounds, elements, or radicals
Philos. in Hegelian philosophy, the unified whole in which opposites (thesis and antithesis) are reconciled

See synthesis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

syn·the·sis

noun pl. syntheses syn·the·ses (-sēzˌ)

a. The combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole.
b. The complex whole so formed.
Chemistry Formation of a compound from simpler compounds or elements.
Philosophy
a. Reasoning from the general to the particular; logical deduction.
b. The combination of thesis and antithesis in the Hegelian dialectical process whereby a new and higher level of truth is produced.

Origin: Latin, collection, from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai, to put together : sun-, syn- + tithenai, to put; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.

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