verb , noun
■ verb
/ səˈmaɪz; NAmE sərˈm-/ ( formal ) to guess or suppose sth using the evidence you have, without definitely knowing
SYN conjecture :
[ v ( that )]
From the looks on their faces, I surmised that they had had an argument.
[also v , v speech , vn , v wh- ]
■ noun
/ ˈsɜːmɑɪz; NAmE ˈsɜːrm-/ [ U , C , usually sing. ] ( formal ) a guess based on some facts that you know already :
This is pure surmise on my part.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the senses formal allegation and allege formally ): from Anglo-Norman French and Old French surmise , feminine past participle of surmettre accuse, from late Latin supermittere put in afterwards, from super- over + mittere send.