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cf., Sent.I.D19.Q5.A1.Rep7; SCG1.C59; QDeVer.Q1.A3, 9; Peri.Bk1.L3; Metaph.Bk6.L4; DeAn.Bk3.L11
In order to understand this question, one must know something about the "three acts of the intellect" which is treated in philosophy.
For, the intellect goes through three "stages" in relation to things. First, it "apprehends" the "whatness" of a certain thing, which produces an idea, without either affirming or denying. Second, it takes two of these ideas and either composes ("is") or divides ("is not") the two ideas in a "judgment." Lastly, he may take two of these judgments who share a term and discover something new by making a "syllogism."