DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
hypotheses
假說
Hy·poth·e·sis n.; pl. Hypotheses
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.
An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no other limits to hypotheses than those of the human imagination. --J. S. Mill.
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.
Nebular hypothesis. See under Nebular.
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hypothesis
n 1: a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
2: a tentative theory about 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" [syn: possibility, theory]
3: a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
[syn: guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, surmisal,
speculation]
[also: hypotheses (pl)]