hypothesis
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (3)
- a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
- a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena“a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory”“he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices”Synonyms: possibilitytheory
- a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidenceSynonyms: guessconjecturesuppositionsurmisesurmisalspeculation
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Hypothesis \Hy*poth"e*sis\, n.; pl. Hypotheses. [NL., fr. Gr. ? foundation, supposition, fr. ? to place under, ? under + ? to put. See Hypo-, Thesis.]
1.A supposition; a proposition or principle which is supposed or taken for granted, in order to draw a conclusion or inference for proof of the point in question; something not proved, but assumed for the purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an overdue steamer. [1913 Webster]
An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no other limits to hypotheses than those of the human imagination.— J. S. Mill.[1913 Webster]
2.(Natural Science) A tentative theory or supposition provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently called a working hypothesis.
Syn: Supposition; assumption. See Theory. [1913 Webster]
Nebular hypothesis. See under Nebular. Hypothetic