Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Sophism

Sophism , noun

[French sophisme, Latin sophisma, from Greek {not transcribed}, from {not transcribed} to make wise, {not transcribed} to be become wise, to play the sophist, from {not transcribed} 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”. — I. Watts
Let us first rid ourselves of sophisms, those of depraved men, and those of heartless philosophers. — I. Taylor