hypothesis
hy-poth-e-sis · noun
Definitions
noun
- 1.
A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, made as a starting point for further investigation; a tentative assumption to be tested.
- 2.
A supposition or proposed explanation made on limited evidence as a basis for reasoning.
Forms
plural: hypotheses
Phrases & expressions
- •null hypothesis — in statistics, the hypothesis that there is no significant difference
- •working hypothesis — a provisional hypothesis used to guide investigation
- •test a hypothesis — to conduct experiments to determine if a hypothesis is valid
Related words
Etymology
From Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis ("base, basis of an argument, supposition"), from hypo- ("under") + thesis ("a placing, proposition").