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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"
Generic synonyms: Explanation
Terms within: Law, Law Of Nature, Hypothesis, Possibility
Derivative terms: Theoretic, Theoretician, Theorist
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"
Generic synonyms: Concept, Conception, Construct
Specialized synonyms: Hypothetical, Gemmule, Framework, Model, Theoretical Account, Conjecture, Speculation, Assumption, Supposal, Supposition, Historicism
Derivative terms: Hypothecate, Hypothesize, Theoretic, Theoretician, Theorise, Theorist, Theorize
3. Noun. A belief that can guide behavior. "They killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
Specialized synonyms: Egoism, Hodgepodge, Jumble, Patchwork
Derivative terms: Theorise, Theorist, Theorize
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)