- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Synonyms
- 1.3.2 Derived terms
- 1.3.3 Translations
- 2.1 Etymology
- 2.2 Pronunciation
- 2.3.1 Declension
English [ edit ]
Etymology [ edit ].
Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese , from Late Latin hypothesis , from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis , “ base, basis of an argument, supposition ” , literally “ a placing under ” ) , itself from ὑποτίθημι ( hupotíthēmi , “ I set before, suggest ” ) , from ὑπό ( hupó , “ below ” ) + τίθημι ( títhēmi , “ I put, place ” ) .
Pronunciation [ edit ]
- ( UK ) IPA ( key ) : /haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /hɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /həˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /-əsəs/ , /-əsɪs/
- ( US ) IPA ( key ) : /haɪˈpɑː.θə.sɪs/
Noun [ edit ]
hypothesis ( plural hypotheses )
- 2001 September 27, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Michael Rutter, Phil A. Silva, Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour: Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study [1] , Cambridge University Press , →ISBN , page 151 : This hypothesis goes by many names, including group resistence, the threshold effect, and the gender paradox. Because the hypothesis holds such wide appeal, it is worth revisiting the logic behind it. The hypothesis is built on the factual observation that fewer females than males act antisocially.
- 2005 , Ronald H. Pine, http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/intelligent_design_or_no_model_creationism , 15 October 2005: Far too many of us have been taught in school that a scientist, in the course of trying to figure something out, will first come up with a " hypothesis " (a guess or surmise—not necessarily even an "educated" guess). ... [But t]he word " hypothesis " should be used, in science, exclusively for a reasoned, sensible, knowledge-informed explanation for why some phenomenon exists or occurs. An hypothesis can be as yet untested; can have already been tested; may have been falsified; may have not yet been falsified, although tested; or may have been tested in a myriad of ways countless times without being falsified; and it may come to be universally accepted by the scientific community. An understanding of the word " hypothesis ," as used in science, requires a grasp of the principles underlying Occam's Razor and Karl Popper's thought in regard to " falsifiability "—including the notion that any respectable scientific hypothesis must, in principle, be "capable of" being proven wrong (if it should, in fact, just happen to be wrong), but none can ever be proved to be true. One aspect of a proper understanding of the word " hypothesis ," as used in science, is that only a vanishingly small percentage of hypotheses could ever potentially become a theory.
- ( general ) An assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation .
- ( grammar ) The antecedent of a conditional statement .
Synonyms [ edit ]
- supposition
- educated guess
- See also Thesaurus:supposition
Derived terms [ edit ]
- alternative hypothesis
- aquatic ape hypothesis
- Avogadro's hypothesis
- conspiracy hypothesis
- continuum hypothesis
- cosmic censorship hypothesis
- documentary hypothesis
- efficient market hypothesis
- ergodic hypothesis
- expectations hypothesis
- Fisher hypothesis
- Gaia hypothesis
- generalized continuum hypothesis
- God hypothesis
- Griesbach hypothesis
- hypothesize
- hypothetical
- hypothetically
- interface hypothesis
- just-world hypothesis
- level-ordering hypothesis
- mafia hypothesis
- Medea hypothesis
- Monro-Kellie hypothesis
- null hypothesis
- Omphalos hypothesis
- Out of India hypothesis
- ovulatory shift hypothesis
- permanent income hypothesis
- Prout's hypothesis
- Rare Earth hypothesis
- Red Queen hypothesis
- Riemann hypothesis
- Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
- Schinzel's hypothesis H
- sexy son hypothesis
- simulation hypothesis
- swoon hypothesis
- trickle-down hypothesis
- trickle down hypothesis
- Wellhausen's hypothesis
- working hypothesis
- zombie hypothesis
Translations [ edit ]
Latin [ edit ].
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis , “ hypothesis ” , noun ) .
- ( Classical Latin ) IPA ( key ) : /hyˈpo.tʰe.sis/ , [hʏˈpɔt̪ʰɛs̠ɪs̠]
- ( modern Italianate Ecclesiastical ) IPA ( key ) : /iˈpo.te.sis/ , [iˈpɔːt̪es̬is]
hypothesis f ( genitive hypothesis or hypotheseōs or hypothesios ) ; third declension
Declension [ edit ]
1 Found sometimes in Medieval and New Latin.
- There is also genitive plural hypotheseōn .
- The genitive singular is also spelled hypotheseωs and the genitive plural hypotheseωn .
- English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
- English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
- English terms borrowed from Middle French
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English 4-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English nouns with irregular plurals
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- English terms with quotations
- Latin terms borrowed from Ancient Greek
- Latin terms derived from Ancient Greek
- Latin 4-syllable words
- Latin terms with IPA pronunciation
- Latin lemmas
- Latin nouns
- Latin third declension nouns
- Latin feminine nouns in the third declension
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- Latin feminine nouns
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Definition of hypothesis
Did you know.
The Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory
A hypothesis is an assumption, an idea that is proposed for the sake of argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true.
In the scientific method, the hypothesis is constructed before any applicable research has been done, apart from a basic background review. You ask a question, read up on what has been studied before, and then form a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is usually tentative; it's an assumption or suggestion made strictly for the objective of being tested.
A theory , in contrast, is a principle that has been formed as an attempt to explain things that have already been substantiated by data. It is used in the names of a number of principles accepted in the scientific community, such as the Big Bang Theory . Because of the rigors of experimentation and control, it is understood to be more likely to be true than a hypothesis is.
In non-scientific use, however, hypothesis and theory are often used interchangeably to mean simply an idea, speculation, or hunch, with theory being the more common choice.
Since this casual use does away with the distinctions upheld by the scientific community, hypothesis and theory are prone to being wrongly interpreted even when they are encountered in scientific contexts—or at least, contexts that allude to scientific study without making the critical distinction that scientists employ when weighing hypotheses and theories.
The most common occurrence is when theory is interpreted—and sometimes even gleefully seized upon—to mean something having less truth value than other scientific principles. (The word law applies to principles so firmly established that they are almost never questioned, such as the law of gravity.)
This mistake is one of projection: since we use theory in general to mean something lightly speculated, then it's implied that scientists must be talking about the same level of uncertainty when they use theory to refer to their well-tested and reasoned principles.
The distinction has come to the forefront particularly on occasions when the content of science curricula in schools has been challenged—notably, when a school board in Georgia put stickers on textbooks stating that evolution was "a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things." As Kenneth R. Miller, a cell biologist at Brown University, has said , a theory "doesn’t mean a hunch or a guess. A theory is a system of explanations that ties together a whole bunch of facts. It not only explains those facts, but predicts what you ought to find from other observations and experiments.”
While theories are never completely infallible, they form the basis of scientific reasoning because, as Miller said "to the best of our ability, we’ve tested them, and they’ve held up."
- proposition
- supposition
hypothesis , theory , law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature.
hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.
theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.
law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.
Examples of hypothesis in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Greek, from hypotithenai to put under, suppose, from hypo- + tithenai to put — more at do
1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing hypothesis
- counter - hypothesis
- nebular hypothesis
- null hypothesis
- planetesimal hypothesis
- Whorfian hypothesis
Articles Related to hypothesis
This is the Difference Between a...
This is the Difference Between a Hypothesis and a Theory
In scientific reasoning, they're two completely different things
Dictionary Entries Near hypothesis
hypothermia
hypothesize
Cite this Entry
“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesis. Accessed 27 May. 2024.
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Dictionary definition of hypothesis
An educated guess or a proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations. "The experiment yielded results that supported the initial hypothesis."
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Detailed meaning of hypothesis
It is a statement that can be tested through scientific experimentation or further observation. In scientific research, a hypothesis is used as a starting point for an investigation, and it serves as a basis for designing experiments and collecting data to either support or disprove it. A hypothesis typically consists of two parts: the independent variable, which is the factor being tested, and the dependent variable, which is the effect that is being observed. The hypothesis states the expected relationship between the two variables. For example, if a scientist wants to test the effect of a new drug on blood pressure, the independent variable would be the drug and the dependent variable would be the blood pressure. The hypothesis in this case would be "The new drug will lower blood pressure" A hypothesis is a crucial step in the scientific method as it guides the research and helps to focus on a specific question or problem. The results of the research and experimentation can support or disprove the hypothesis, and it can lead to new discoveries and knowledge. In summary, a hypothesis is an educated guess or proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations, it's a statement that can be tested through scientific experimentation or further observation, it's a crucial step in the scientific method that guides the research and helps to focus on a specific question or problem.
Example sentences containing hypothesis
1. The scientist formulated a hypothesis to explain the observed phenomenon. 2. The hypothesis proposed by the researcher challenged the existing theories in the field. 3. The students conducted experiments to test their hypothesis about plant growth. 4. The hypothesis stated that increased exposure to sunlight would improve mood. 5. The team developed a hypothesis to investigate the effects of a new drug on cancer cells. 6. The hypothesis suggested that regular exercise would lead to improved cognitive function.
History and etymology of hypothesis
The noun 'hypothesis' draws its linguistic lineage from the combination of two ancient Greek elements. The first part, 'hypo,' originates from the Greek word 'hupo,' meaning 'under' or 'beneath.' The second component, 'thesis,' derives from 'tithēmi,' meaning 'to place' or 'to put forth.' In the context of scientific inquiry and philosophical discourse, the term 'hypothesis' embodies the notion of putting forth an educated guess or proposition that lies beneath the surface of empirical observation. It signifies a preliminary and testable explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations. Thus, the etymology of 'hypothesis' underscores its foundational role in the systematic process of scientific inquiry, where ideas are posited as a starting point for further investigation and analysis.
Quiz: Find the meaning of hypothesis
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Further usage examples of hypothesis
1. The scientist's hypothesis about the origins of the universe sparked a lively debate among colleagues. 2. The study aimed to confirm or refute the hypothesis that caffeine enhances athletic performance. 3. The researchers gathered data to support their hypothesis on the relationship between sleep and memory. 4. The hypothesis proposed that increased levels of pollution would lead to a decline in air quality. 5. The hypothesis suggested that exposure to violent media would lead to increased aggression in children. 6. The scientists revised their hypothesis based on the new evidence they gathered. 7. The study failed to confirm the hypothesis, leading the researchers to reconsider their approach. 8. The hypothesis provided a framework for the investigation, guiding the research process. 9. The scientist presented a compelling hypothesis that challenged conventional wisdom. 10. The hypothesis proposed that higher levels of stress would negatively affect decision-making abilities. 11. The researcher's hypothesis about the effects of music on productivity generated significant interest. 12. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that a specific diet would improve cardiovascular health. 13. The scientist formulated a hypothesis to test in the laboratory. 14. Her hypothesis about the market trends proved accurate. 15. We need evidence to support or refute this hypothesis. 16. The hypothesis was the starting point for the research project. 17. The hypothesis suggests a link between two variables. 18. He proposed an intriguing hypothesis for the mysterious phenomenon. 19. The hypothesis was based on years of careful observation. 20. The team's hypothesis challenged established scientific beliefs. 21. To validate the hypothesis, experiments were meticulously designed. 22. The hypothesis explained the unexpected results of the study. 23. Researchers are now testing the hypothesis with real-world data. 24. The success of the mission hinged on the accuracy of the initial hypothesis.
Quiz categories containing hypothesis
Multiple-Choice
Opposite Words
Same/Different
Spelling Bee
hunch,proposal
eb68db_80f17f7a153340fd98f74a39f7c06f32.mp3
theory, fact, certainty, knowledge
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_7deb1bd10b274eeca38fe2f821b50c0d~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_14656208e4464bb1a273d7ac7b8c2c94~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_8aaddd85f1ff405b94e083dd525eb61f~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_8aaddd85f1ff405b94e083dd525eb61f~mv2.jpg
conjecture,postulate,premise,proposition,suggestion,supposition,thesis
TOEFL 5, Analytical and Interpretive, Inquiry and Insight, Insight and Intelligence
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Definition of hypothesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- to formulate/confirm a hypothesis
- a hypothesis about the function of dreams
- There is little evidence to support these hypotheses.
- formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis
- build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model
- develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework
- advance/argue/develop the thesis that…
- explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis
- make a prediction/an inference
- base a prediction/your calculations on something
- investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model
- design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test
- do research/an experiment/an analysis
- make observations/measurements/calculations
- carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials
- run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials
- repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis
- replicate a study/the results/the findings
- observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behaviour
- fund/support the research/project/study
- seek/provide/get/secure funding for research
- collect/gather/extract data/information
- yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results
- analyse/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen
- consider/compare/interpret the results/findings
- fit the data/model
- confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings
- prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem
- draw/make/reach the same conclusions
- read/review the records/literature
- describe/report an experiment/a study
- present/publish/summarize the results/findings
- present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal
- Her hypothesis concerns the role of electromagnetic radiation.
- Her study is based on the hypothesis that language simplification is possible.
- It is possible to make a hypothesis on the basis of this graph.
- None of the hypotheses can be rejected at this stage.
- Scientists have proposed a bold hypothesis.
- She used this data to test her hypothesis
- The hypothesis predicts that children will perform better on task A than on task B.
- The results confirmed his hypothesis on the use of modal verbs.
- These observations appear to support our working hypothesis.
- a speculative hypothesis concerning the nature of matter
- an interesting hypothesis about the development of language
- Advances in genetics seem to confirm these hypotheses.
- His hypothesis about what dreams mean provoked a lot of debate.
- Research supports the hypothesis that language skills are centred in the left side of the brain.
- The survey will be used to test the hypothesis that people who work outside the home are fitter and happier.
- This economic model is really a working hypothesis.
- speculative
- concern something
- be based on something
- predict something
- on a/the hypothesis
- hypothesis about
- hypothesis concerning
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
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The word “hypothesis” is of ancient Greek origin and composed of two parts: “hypo” for “under,” and “thesis” for “to put there”; in Latin, this translated “to suppose” or “supposition”; made up of “sub” [under] and “positum” [put there]. It refers to something that we put there, maybe to start with, maybe to stay with us as an installation. Hence in modern English we say “ let us hypothesize, suppose,” or “let us put it that … .,” and then we start the argument by developing implications and reaching conclusions. The term “hypothesis” marks a space of possibilities in several ways. Firstly, it is the uncertain starting point from which firmer conclusions might be drawn. Public reasoning examines how, from uncertain hypotheses, neither true nor false, we can nevertheless reach useful conclusions. Secondly, the hypothesis is the end point of a logical process of firming up on reality through scientific enquiry. Scientific methodology makes hypothesis testing the gold standard...
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Bauer, M.W. (2022). Hypothesis. In: Glăveanu, V.P. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90913-0_193
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Meaning of hypothesis in English
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- abstraction
- afterthought
- anthropocentrism
- anti-Darwinian
- exceptionalism
- foundation stone
- great minds think alike idiom
- non-dogmatic
- non-empirical
- non-material
- non-practical
- social Darwinism
- supersensible
- the domino theory
hypothesis | American Dictionary
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hypothesist noun
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What does the noun hypothesist mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun hypothesist . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun hypothesist ?
Where does the noun hypothesist come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the noun hypothesist is in the late 1700s.
OED's only evidence for hypothesist is from 1788, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary politician and president of the United States of America.
hypothesist is formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: hypothesis n. , ‑t suffix 3
Nearby entries
- hypothecary, adj. 1656–
- hypothecate, v. 1693–
- hypothecation, n. 1681–
- hypothecative, adj. 1856–
- hypothecator, n. 1828–
- hypothecium, n. 1866–
- hypothenar, adj. 1706–
- hypothermia, n. 1886–
- hypothermic, adj. 1898–
- hypothesis, n. 1596–
- hypothesist, n. 1788–
- hypothesize, v. 1738–
- hypothesizer, n. 1833–
- hypothetic, adj. & n. a1680–
- hypothetical, adj. & n. 1588–
- hypothetically, adv. 1628–
- hypothetico-deductive, adj. 1912–
- hypothetico-deductively, adv. 1953–
- hypothetico-disjunctive, adj. & n. a1856–
- hypothetist, n. 1852–
- hypothetize, v. 1895–
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Meaning & use
Entry history for hypothesist, n..
Originally published as part of the entry for hypothesis, n.
hypothesis, n. was first published in 1899; not yet revised.
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[ hahy- poth - uh -sis , hi- ]
- a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation working hypothesis or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
- a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
- the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
- a mere assumption or guess.
/ haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs /
- a suggested explanation for a group of facts or phenomena, either accepted as a basis for further verification ( working hypothesis ) or accepted as likely to be true Compare theory
- an assumption used in an argument without its being endorsed; a supposition
- an unproved theory; a conjecture
/ hī-pŏth ′ ĭ-sĭs /
, Plural hypotheses hī-pŏth ′ ĭ-sēz′
- A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.
- plur. hypotheses (heye- poth -uh-seez) In science, a statement of a possible explanation for some natural phenomenon. A hypothesis is tested by drawing conclusions from it; if observation and experimentation show a conclusion to be false, the hypothesis must be false. ( See scientific method and theory .)
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Derived forms.
- hyˈpothesist , noun
Other Words From
- hy·pothe·sist noun
- counter·hy·pothe·sis noun plural counterhypotheses
- subhy·pothe·sis noun plural subhypotheses
Word History and Origins
Origin of hypothesis 1
Synonym Study
Example sentences.
Though researchers have struggled to understand exactly what contributes to this gender difference, Dr. Rohan has one hypothesis.
The leading hypothesis for the ultimate source of the Ebola virus, and where it retreats in between outbreaks, lies in bats.
In 1996, John Paul II called the Big Bang theory “more than a hypothesis.”
To be clear: There have been no double-blind or controlled studies that conclusively confirm this hair-loss hypothesis.
The bacteria-driven-ritual hypothesis ignores the huge diversity of reasons that could push someone to perform a religious ritual.
And remember it is by our hypothesis the best possible form and arrangement of that lesson.
Taken in connection with what we know of the nebulæ, the proof of Laplace's nebular hypothesis may fairly be regarded as complete.
What has become of the letter from M. de St. Mars, said to have been discovered some years ago, confirming this last hypothesis?
To admit that there had really been any communication between the dead man and the living one is also an hypothesis.
"I consider it highly probable," asserted Aunt Maria, forgetting her Scandinavian hypothesis.
Related Words
- explanation
- interpretation
- proposition
- supposition
Open Education Sociology Dictionary
Table of Contents
Definition of Hypothesis
( noun ) A proposed and testable explanation between two or more variables that predicts an outcome or explains a phenomenon.
Examples of Hypothesis
- Note : The variables are the students, the time spent studying, and the test grades. To test the hypothesis, collect information from each student about how much time they spent studying prior to the test and compare that to the the testing outcomes.
- Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Types of Hypothesis
- asymmetry hypothesis
- null hypothesis
- substantive hypothesis
Hypothesis Pronunciation
Pronunciation Usage Guide
Syllabification : hy·poth·e·sis
Audio Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
- American English – /hie-pAHth-uh-suhs/
- British English – /hie-pOth-i-sis/
International Phonetic Alphabet
- American English – /haɪˈpɑθəsəs/
- British English – /hʌɪˈpɒθᵻsᵻs/
Usage Notes
- Plural: hypotheses
- A hypothesis must have the capacity to be disconfirmed or proven false to have meaning. For example, “criminals” commit more crimes than “non-criminals” cannot be proven wrong.
- A hypothesis can either come from theory ( deduction ) or lead to theory ( induction ).
- A working hypothesis refers to a hypothesis that has not been thoroughly tested and verified.
- Hypothesis testing is the process of testing a hypothesis in a scientific manner that requires a link between the concepts or variables under investigation and rigorous testing methodology .
- An ( noun ) hypothesist ( verb ) hypothesizes ( adverb ) hypothetically about social issues to create an ( adjective ) hypothetical explanation.
Related Videos
Additional Information
- Quantitative Research Resources – Books, Journals, and Helpful Links
- Word origin of “hypothesis” – Online Etymology Dictionary: etymonline.com
- Gauch, Hugh G., Jr. 2003. Scientific Method in Practice . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Lehmann, E. L., and Joseph P. Romano. 2010. Testing Statistical Hypotheses . 3rd ed. New York: Springer.
- Poletiek, Fenna. 2001. Hypothesis-testing Behaviour . Philadelphia: Psychology.
- Popper, Karl R. 1959. The Logic of Scientific Discovery . New York: Basic Books.
Related Terms
- correlation
- dependent variable
- hypothetico-deductive model
- independent variable
- inferential statistics
- statistical analysis
Contributor: C. E. Seaman
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Cite the Definition of Hypothesis
ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)
Seaman, C. E. 2015. “hypothesis.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary , edited by Kenton Bell. Retrieved May 28, 2024 ( https://sociologydictionary.org/hypothesis/ ).
APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)
Seaman, C. E. (2015). hypothesis. In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary . Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/hypothesis/
Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)
Seaman, C. E. 2015. “hypothesis.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary , edited by Kenton Bell. Accessed May 28, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/hypothesis/ .
MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)
Seaman, C. E. “hypothesis.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary . Ed. Kenton Bell. 2015. Web. 28 May. 2024. < https://sociologydictionary.org/hypothesis/ >.
hypothecate (v.)
1680s, "pledge (something) without giving up control of it; pawn; mortgage," from hypothecat- , past-participle stem of Medieval Latin hypothecare , from Late Latin hypotheca "a pledge," from Greek hypothēkē "a deposit, pledge, mortgage," from hypo- "beneath, under" (see hypo- ) + tithenai "to put, to place," from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put." Related: Hypothecated ; hypothecating ; hypothecation ; hypothecary .
Entries linking to hypothecate
*dhē- , Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to set, put."
It forms all or part of: abdomen ; abscond ; affair ; affect (v.1) "make a mental impression on;" affect (v.2) "make a pretense of;" affection ; amplify ; anathema ; antithesis ; apothecary ; artifact ; artifice ; beatific ; benefice ; beneficence ; beneficial ; benefit ; bibliothec ; bodega ; boutique ; certify ; chafe ; chauffeur ; comfit ; condiment ; confection ; confetti ; counterfeit ; deed ; deem ; deface ; defeasance ; defeat ; defect ; deficient ; difficulty ; dignify ; discomfit ; do (v.); doom ; -dom ; duma ; edifice ; edify ; efface ; effect ; efficacious ; efficient ; epithet ; facade ; face ; facet ; facial ; -facient ; facile ; facilitate ; facsimile ; fact ; faction (n.1) "political party;" -faction ; factitious ; factitive ; factor ; factory ; factotum ; faculty ; fashion ; feasible ; feat ; feature ; feckless ; fetish ; -fic ; fordo ; forfeit ; -fy ; gratify ; hacienda ; hypothecate ; hypothesis ; incondite ; indeed ; infect ; justify ; malefactor ; malfeasance ; manufacture ; metathesis ; misfeasance ; modify ; mollify ; multifarious ; notify ; nullify ; office ; officinal ; omnifarious ; orifice ; parenthesis ; perfect ; petrify ; pluperfect ; pontifex ; prefect ; prima facie ; proficient ; profit ; prosthesis ; prothesis ; purdah ; putrefy ; qualify ; rarefy ; recondite ; rectify ; refectory ; sacrifice ; salmagundi ; samadhi ; satisfy ; sconce ; suffice ; sufficient ; surface ; surfeit ; synthesis ; tay ; ticking (n.); theco- ; thematic ; theme ; thesis ; verify .
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit dadhati "puts, places;" Avestan dadaiti "he puts;" Old Persian ada "he made;" Hittite dai- "to place;" Greek tithenai "to put, set, place;" Latin facere "to make, do; perform; bring about;" Lithuanian dėti "to put;" Polish dziać się "to be happening;" Russian delat' "to do;" Old High German tuon , German tun , Old English don "to do."
word-forming element meaning "under, beneath; less, less than" (in chemistry, indicating a lesser oxidation), from Greek hypo (prep. and adverb) "under, beneath; up from under; toward and under (i.e. into)," from PIE root *upo "under."
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hypothesis. (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under ...
hypothesis (plural hypotheses) ( sciences) Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. As a scientific term of art, see the attached quotation. Compare to theory, and quotation given there.
Entries linking to hypotheses. hypothesis (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a ...
hypothesis: [noun] an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument. an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action.
History and etymology of hypothesis. The noun 'hypothesis' draws its linguistic lineage from the combination of two ancient Greek elements. The first part, 'hypo,' originates from the Greek word 'hupo,' meaning 'under' or 'beneath.'. The second component, 'thesis,' derives from 'tithēmi,' meaning 'to place' or 'to put forth.'.
corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates; new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates. Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into hypothesis, n. in July 2023.
The hypothesis predicts that children will perform better on task A than on task B. The results confirmed his hypothesis on the use of modal verbs. These observations appear to support our working hypothesis. a speculative hypothesis concerning the nature of matter; an interesting hypothesis about the development of language
Hypothesis definition: a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis ) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.. See examples of HYPOTHESIS used in a sentence.
Definition. The word "hypothesis" is of ancient Greek origin and composed of two parts: "hypo" for "under," and "thesis" for "to put there"; in Latin, this translated "to suppose" or "supposition"; made up of "sub" [under] and "positum" [put there]. It refers to something that we put there, maybe to start ...
The hypothesis of Andreas Cellarius, showing the planetary motions in eccentric and epicyclical orbits.. A hypothesis (pl.: hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.For a hypothesis to be a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it. Scientists generally base scientific hypotheses on previous observations that cannot satisfactorily be explained ...
hypothesis, something supposed or taken for granted, with the object of following out its consequences (Greek hypothesis, "a putting under," the Latin equivalent being suppositio ). Discussion with Kara Rogers of how the scientific model is used to test a hypothesis or represent a theory. Kara Rogers, senior biomedical sciences editor of ...
HYPOTHESIS definition: 1. an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved…. Learn more.
From Longman Business Dictionary hypothesis hy‧poth‧e‧sis / haɪˈpɒθəsəs-ˈpɑː-/ noun (plural hypotheses /-siːz /) [countable] STATISTICS an idea that can be tested to see if it is true or not These results support the hypothesis that individuals are willing to pay more in order to live in communities that provide high-quality ...
Scientists are commonly taught to frame their experiments with a "hypothesis"—an idea or postulate that must be phrased as a statement of fact, so that it can be subjected to falsification. The hypothesis is constructed in advance of the experiment; it is therefore unproven in its original form. The very idea of "proof" of a ...
Britannica Dictionary definition of HYPOTHESIS. [count] : an idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion. Other chemists rejected his hypothesis. put forward a hypothesis = advance a hypothesis. Their hypothesis is that watching excessive amounts of television reduces a person's ability to concentrate. The ...
late 1700s. The earliest known use of the noun hypothesist is in the late 1700s. OED's only evidence for hypothesist is from 1788, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary politician and president of the United States of America. hypothesist is formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hypothesis n., ‑t suffix3.
Hypothesis definition: a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis ) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts. See examples of HYPOTHESIS used in a sentence.
Although many scientists use the term "hypothesis" when they mean "model," we will maintain the distinction that the hypothesis is an unproven premise whereas the model is data derived, to discriminate between "top-down premise/deduction" and "bottom-up data/induction." A recent article proposes that the availability of large ...
hypothesize (v.) "to form hypotheses," 1738, from hypothesis + -ize. Hypothetize is an alternative form, preserving the consonant of the Greek base. Related: Hypothesized; hypothesizing. word-forming element used to make verbs, Middle English -isen, from Old French -iser/-izer, from Late Latin -izare, from Greek -izein, a verb-forming element ...
Definition of Hypothesis (noun) A proposed and testable explanation between two or more variables that predicts an outcome or explains a phenomenon.Examples of Hypothesis "I think the more time students spend studying prior to a test the higher their grade will be.". Note: The variables are the students, the time spent studying, and the test grades. . To test the hypothesis, collect ...
hypothecate. (v.) 1680s, "pledge (something) without giving up control of it; pawn; mortgage," from hypothecat-, past-participle stem of Medieval Latin hypothecare, from Late Latin hypotheca "a pledge," from Greek hypothēkē "a deposit, pledge, mortgage," from hypo- "beneath, under" (see hypo-) + tithenai "to put, to place," from reduplicated ...