ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English implicacioun, from Latin implication-, implicatio, from implicatus, + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of implicating or the state of being implicated:
a. archaic : a twisting together : entwinement , interweaving
b. : close connection, relationship, or involvement (as from long association, logical inevitability, intimate accompaniment)
in the arts, in literature, and in science … all these activities were freeing themselves from their religious implications — Stringfellow Barr
looked upon railroad operation purely in its engineering implications — O.S.Nock
especially : an incriminating involvement
suspected of implication in a number of robberies
2.
a. : the act of implying or the state of being implied
no concept that by implication views a functional bureaucracy as the ruling class can be tolerated — K.A.Wittfogel
speak of their own language with at least an implication of disparagement — George Sampson
whether in words or by implication — O.W.Holmes †1935
b. : one of several formal logical relationships or a statement containing propositions in such a relationship:
(1) : a logical relationship of the form symbolically rendered “if p then q ” in which p and q are propositions and in which p is false or q is true or both ; also : a statement in this form — called also material implication
(2) : a logical relationship of the form symbolically rendered “if p then strictly q ” in which q is deducible from p ; also : a statement in this form — called also logical implication, strict implication
c. : the symbol used to indicate one of these two formal relationships and rendered “if … then” or the logical operation implicit in one of them
3. : something implied
two propositions with a clear implication
: inference
was aware of the implication to be found in his remarks
: suggestion , connotation
tea is very important in British life, and a spectacular rise in its price does have political implications — Michael Davie
a book is a bulwark against the implication of lack of culture — Allan McMahan