Hypothesis Definition

hī-pŏthĭ-sĭs

hypotheses

noun

hypotheses

An unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or (working hypothesis) to provide a basis for further investigation, argument, etc.

Webster's New World

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

American Heritage Medicine

Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.

American Heritage Medicine

The antecedent of a conditional statement.

American Heritage Medicine

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Hypothesis

Noun

Singular:

hypothesis

Plural:

hypotheses

Origin of Hypothesis

Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, from Late Latin hypothesis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις (hupothesis, “base, basis of an argument, supposition”), literally “a placing under”, itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotithēmi, “I set before, suggest”), from ὑπό (upo, “below”) + τίθημι (tithēmi, “I put, place”).

From Wiktionary
Latin subject for a speech from Greek hupothesis proposal, supposition from hupotithenai hupothe- to suppose hupo- hypo- tithenai to place dhē- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition