Dictionary Home » Webster's New World College Dictionary » suspicion

suspicion

suspicion definition

sus·pi·cion (sə spis̸h′ən)

noun

the act or an instance of suspecting guilt, a wrong, harmfulness, etc. with little or no supporting evidence
the feeling or state of mind of a person who suspects
a very small amount or degree; suggestion; inkling; trace

Etymology: ME suspecion < Anglo-Fr suspecioun < OFr sospeçon < LL suspectio, orig., a looking up to, esteeming, later with sense and sp. of L suspicio, suspicion < L suspectus, pp. of suspicere, to look up at, admire, look secretly at, mistrust, suspect

transitive verb

Informal, Dialectal to suspect

suspicion Idioms

above suspicion

not to be suspected; honorable

on suspicion

on the basis of suspicion; because suspected

under suspicion

suspected