GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Hypothesis , n.; pl. Hypotheses . [NL., fr. Gr. foundation, supposition, fr. to place under, under + to put. See Hypo-, Thesis.]
- A supposition; a proposition or principle which is supposed or taken for granted, in order to draw a conclusion or inference for proof of the point in question; something not proved, but assumed for the purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an overdue steamer.1913 Webster
An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no other limits to hypotheses than those of the human imagination.
J. S. Mill.1913 Webster - (Natural Science) A tentative theory or supposition provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently called a working hypothesis.
Syn. -- Supposition; assumption. See Theory.
1913 WebsterNebular hypothesis. See under Nebular.
- A supposition; a proposition or principle which is supposed or taken for granted, in order to draw a conclusion or inference for proof of the point in question; something not proved, but assumed for the purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an overdue steamer.