Lexic.us

Definition of Theory

1. Noun. A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena. "True in fact and theory"

2. Noun. A tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena. "He proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"

3. Noun. A belief that can guide behavior. "They killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"

Definition of Theory

1. n. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation.

Definition of Theory

1. Noun. (obsolete) Mental conception; reflection, consideration. (defdate 16th-18th c.) ¹

2. Noun. (science) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

3. Noun. The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

4. Noun. (mathematics) A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs. (defdate from 18th c.) ¹

5. Noun. A hypothesis or conjecture. (defdate from 18th c.) ¹

6. Noun. (logic) A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them. ''Equivalently,'' a formal language plus a set of axioms (from which can then be derived theorems). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Theory

1. a group of propositions used to explain a class of phenomena [n -RIES]

Medical Definition of Theory

1. In science, an explanation for some phenomenon which is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning. In popular use, a theory is often assumed to imply mere speculation, but in science, something is not called a theory until it has been confirmed over the course of many independent experiments. Theories are more certain than hypotheses, but less certain than laws. (09 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Theory

theoriser theorises theorising theorist theorists theorizable theorization theorizations theorize theorized

theorizer theorizers theorizes theorizing theorizings theory (current term) theory-based theory-laden theory of dissociation theory of electrolytic dissociation

theory of everything theory of evolution theory of games theory of gravitation theory of gravity theory of indicators theory of inheritance theory of knowledge theory of medicine theory of organic evolution

Literary usage of Theory

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. America's Great Depression by Murray Newton Rothbard (2000)
"1 The Positive theory of the Cycle Study of business cycles must be based upon a satisfactory cycle theory. Gazing at sheaves of statistics without "pre- ..."

2. The History of Creation, Or, the Development of the Earth and Its by Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel, Edwin Ray Lankester (1892)
"General Importance and Essential Nature of tho theory of Descent as re- formed by ... The theory of Descent as the Non-Miraculous History of Creation. ..."

3. Present Philosophical Tendencies: A Critical Survey of Naturalism, Idealism by Ralph Barton Perry (1912)
"And here also the application of theory must, except under extraordinary condi- 1 Reprinted, with additions and alterations, from an article entitled ..."

4. The History of Creation, Or, The Development of the Earth and Its by Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel, Edwin Ray Lankester (1880)
"General Importance and Essential Nature of the theory of Descent as re. formed by ... It is true the scientific theory set forth in that work, ..."

5. A System of Physical Chemistry by William Cudmore McCullagh Lewis, James Rice (1921)
"THE KINETIC MOLECULAR theory OF THE CONSTITUTION OF MATTER. IT would be futile within the limits of an introductory chapter to attempt to give any concise ..."

6. Modern Elementary School Practice by George Earl Freeland (1919)
"theory which cannot be applied is useless. Even though it point to necessary reforms and contain the accumulated wisdom of a century, theory must lie ..."

7. Projective Differential geometry of Curves and ruled Surfaces by Ernest Julius Wilczynski (1906)
"THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREMS OF LIE'S theory OF CONTINUOUS GROUPS. In the theory to which this work is devoted, Lie's theory of continuous groups plays a ..."

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