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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)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Theory
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