misconjecture
tʃər 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; (noun) Middle English < Latin conjectūra (< Middle French) inferring, reasoning, equivalent to conject(us) past participle of conjicere to throw together, form a conclusion (con- con- + -jicere, combining form of jacere to throw) + -ūra -ure; (v.) late Middle English conjecturen (< Middle French) < Late Latin conjecturāre, derivative of the noun
1350–1400; (noun) Middle English < Latin conjectūra (< Middle French) inferring, reasoning, equivalent to conject(us) past participle of conjicere to throw together, form a conclusion (con- con- + -jicere, combining form of jacere to throw) + -ūra -ure; (v.) late Middle English conjecturen (< Middle French) < Late Latin conjecturāre, derivative of the noun
Related forms
con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
con·jec·tur·er, noun
mis·con·jec·ture, verb, mis·con·jec·tured, mis·con·jec·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), pre·con·jec·tured, pre·con·jec·tur·ing.
un·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
un·con·jec·tured, adjective
Synonyms
2. surmise, inference, supposition, theory, hypothesis. 4. surmise, suppose, presume. See guess.
2. surmise, inference, supposition, theory, hypothesis. 4. surmise, suppose, presume. See guess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To misconjecture
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Misconjecture
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
conjecture (kənˈdʒɛktʃə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
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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Nearby Words
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