[ hʌɪ'pɒθɪsɪs ]
■ noun ( plural hypotheses -si:z ) a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
↘ Philosophy a proposition made as a basis for reasoning.
Derivatives
hypothesize or ~e verb
Origin
C16: via late L. from Gk hupothesis 'foundation'.