Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

conjecture

 - 3 dictionary results

con⋅jec⋅ture

  [kuhn-jek-cher] noun, verb, -tured, -tur⋅ing.
Use conjecture in a Sentence
–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.

Related forms:
con⋅jec⋅tur⋅a⋅ble, adjective
con⋅jec⋅tur⋅a⋅bly, adverb
con⋅jec⋅tur⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2. surmise, inference, supposition, theory, hypothesis. 4. surmise, suppose, presume. See guess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To conjecture
con·jec·ture   (kən-jěk'chər)   
n.  

  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.

v.   con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing, con·jec·tures

v.   tr.
To infer from inconclusive evidence; guess.
v.   intr.
To make a conjecture.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin coniectūra, from coniectus, past participle of conicere, to infer : com-, com- + iacere, to throw; see yē- in Indo-European roots.]
con·jec'tur·a·ble adj., con·jec'tur·a·bly adv., con·jec'tur·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

conjecture 
c.1384, 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 1535.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see conjecture on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way