Hypothesis Definition

hī-pŏthĭ-sĭs
hypotheses
noun
hypotheses
An unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or (working hypothesis) to provide a basis for further investigation, argument, etc.
Webster's New World
A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.
American Heritage Medicine
Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.
American Heritage Medicine
The antecedent of a conditional statement.
American Heritage Medicine

Other Word Forms of Hypothesis

Noun

Singular:
hypothesis
Plural:
hypotheses

Origin of Hypothesis

  • Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, from Late Latin hypothesis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις (hupothesis, “base, basis of an argument, supposition”), literally “a placing under”, itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotithēmi, “I set before, suggest”), from ὑπό (upo, “below”) + τίθημι (tithēmi, “I put, place”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin subject for a speech from Greek hupothesis proposal, supposition from hupotithenai hupothe- to suppose hupo- hypo- tithenai to place dhē- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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