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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·fer·ence       (ĭn'fər-əns)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence. Something inferred. Usage Problem A hint or suggestion: The editorial contained an inference of foul play in the awarding of the contract. See Usage Note at infer. Something inferred. Usage Problem A hint or suggestion: The editorial contained an inference of foul play in the awarding of the contract. See Usage Note at infer.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

inference

noun

the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

inference

see draw an inference.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
inference

In logic, the deriving of one idea from another. Inference can proceed through either induction or deduction.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·fer·ence
Pronunciation: 'in-f&-r&ns
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of inferring; specifically : the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow logically from that of the former
2 : something inferred; especially : a proposition arrived at by inference —see also permissive presumption at PRESUMPTION
3 : the premises and conclusions of a process of inferring

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

inference logic
The logical process by which new facts are derived from known facts by the application of inference rules.
See also symbolic inference, type inference.
(1995-03-20)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Inference

In"fer*ence\, n. [From Infer.]

1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.

Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions, it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of inference. --Glanvill.

2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a conclusion; a deduction. --Milton.

These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all together, are called syllogism, or argument. --I. Watts.

Syn: Conclusion; deduction; consequence.

Usage: Inference, Conclusion. An inference is literally that which is brought in; and hence, a deduction or induction from premises, -- something which follows as certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the ultimate conclusion. "An inference is a proposition which is perceived to be true, because of its connection with some known fact." "When something is simply affirmed to be true, it is called a proposition; after it has been found to be true by several reasons or arguments, it is called a conclusion." --I. Taylor.