Conjecture
WordNet
noun
(1) Reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence
(2) A hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
"Speculations about the outcome of the election"
"He dismissed it as mere conjecture"
(3) A message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
verb
(4) To believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
"Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , perfect passive participle of , from + ; see jet. Cf. adjective, eject, inject, project, reject, subject, object, trajectory.
Noun
- A statement or an idea which is unproven, but is thought to be true; a guess.
- I explained it, but it is pure conjecture whether he understood, or not.
- A supposition based upon incomplete evidence; a hypothesis.
- The physicist used his conjecture about subatomic particles to design an experiment.
- A statement likely to be true based on available evidence, but which has not been formally proven.
- The interpretation of signs and omens.