All 5 Uses of
hypothesis
in
Moby Dick
- But if such an hypothesis be indeed exceptionable, there were still additional considerations which, though not so strictly according with the wildness of his ruling passion, yet were by no means incapable of swaying him.
Chpt 46-48hypothesis = a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea
- But supplementary to this, it has hypothetically occurred to me, that...
Chpt 76-78 *hypothetically = based on an idea that seems reasonable, but is unproven
- …it has hypothetically occurred to me, I say, that those mystical lung-celled honeycombs there may possibly have some hitherto unknown and unsuspected connexion with the outer air, so as to be susceptible to atmospheric distension and contraction.
Chpt 76-78
- Still, we can hypothesize, even if we cannot prove and establish.
Chpt 85-87hypothesize = propose a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea based upon known factsstandard suffix: The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
- My hypothesis is this: that the spout is nothing but mist.
Chpt 85-87hypothesis = a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea
Definition:
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(hypothesis as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known factseditor's notes: In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.