conjecture

The definition of a conjecture is a theory.

(noun)

An example of conjecture is the belief that climate change will result in sea levels rising.

Conjecture means to make a guess at something.

(verb)

An example of conjecture is a scientist coming up with a theory about something.

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See conjecture in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. an inferring, theorizing, or predicting from incomplete or uncertain evidence; guesswork: an editorial full of conjecture
  2. an inference, theory, or prediction based on guesswork; guess
  3. Obsolete occult divination

Origin: ME < L conjectura, a putting together, guess, inference < conjectus, pp. of conjicere, to throw together, guess < com-, together + jacere, to throw: see jet

transitive verb conjectured, conjecturing

to arrive at or propose by conjecture; guess

intransitive verb

to make a conjecture

Related Forms:

See conjecture in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Inference or judgment based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence; guesswork.
  2. A statement, opinion, or conclusion based on guesswork: The commentators made various conjectures about the outcome of the next election.
verb con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing, con·jec·tures
verb, transitive
To infer from inconclusive evidence; guess.
verb, intransitive
To make a conjecture.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin coniectūra

Origin: , from coniectus

Origin: , past participle of conicere, to infer

Origin: : com-, com-

Origin: + iacere, to throw; see yē- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • con·jecˈtur·a·ble adjective
  • con·jecˈtur·a·bly adverb
  • con·jecˈtur·er noun

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