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conjecture

 - 3 dictionary results

con·jec·ture

[kuhn-jek-cher] noun, verb,-tured, -tur·ing.
–noun
1.
the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof.
2.
an opinion or theory so formed or expressed; guess; speculation.
3.
Obsolete. the interpretation of signs or omens.
–verb (used with object)
4.
to conclude or suppose from grounds or evidence insufficient to ensure reliability.
–verb (used without object)
5.
to form conjectures.

Origin:
1350–1400; (n.) ME < L conjectūra (< MF) inferring, reasoning, equiv. to conject(us) ptp. of conjicere to throw together, form a conclusion (con- con- + -jicere, comb. form of jacere to throw) + -ūra -ure; (v.) late ME conjecturen (< MF) < LL conjecturāre, deriv. of the n.

con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
con·jec·tur·er, noun
mis·con·jec·ture, verb,-tured, -tur·ing; noun
non·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
non·con·jec·tur·a·b·ly, adverb
pre·con·jec·ture, verb (used with object),-tured, -tur·ing.
un·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
un·con·jec·tured, adjective


2. surmise, inference, supposition, theory, hypothesis. 4. surmise, suppose, presume. See guess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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World English Dictionary
conjecture (kənˈdʒɛktʃə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence; guess
2.  the inference or conclusion so formed
3.  obsolete interpretation of occult signs
 
vb
4.  to infer or arrive at (an opinion, conclusion, etc) from incomplete evidence
 
[C14: from Latin conjectūra an assembling of facts, from conjicere to throw together, from jacere to throw]
 
con'jecturable
 
adj
 
con'jecturably
 
adv
 
con'jecturer
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin & History

conjecture
late 14c., from L. conjectura "conclusion, interpretation," from conjectus, pp. of conicere "to throw together," from com- "together" + jacere "to throw." Originally of interpretation of signs and omens; sense of "forming of opinion without proof" is 1530s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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