HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESIS

hypothesis, possibility, theory

(noun) 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”

guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, surmisal, speculation, hypothesis

(noun) a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

hypothesis

(noun) a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

hypotheses

plural of hypothesis

Source: Wiktionary

HYPOTHESIS

Hy*poth"e*sis, n.; pl. Hypotheses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. 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. 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)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition