suspicion
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
above suspicion
on suspicion
under suspicion
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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