/ səˈspɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , C ] suspicion (that ... ) a feeling that sb has done sth wrong, illegal or dishonest, even though you have no proof :
They drove away slowly to avoid arousing suspicion.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder.
I have a sneaking suspicion that she's not telling the truth.
—see also suspect
2.
[ C ] suspicion (that ... ) a feeling or belief that sth is true, even though you have no proof :
I have a horrible suspicion that we've come to the wrong station.
3.
[ U , C ] the feeling that you cannot trust sb/sth :
Their offer was greeted with some suspicion.
4.
[ sing. ] suspicion of sth ( formal ) a small amount of sth
SYN hint :
His mouth quivered in the suspicion of a smile.
•
IDIOMS
- above / beyond suspicion
- under suspicion (of sth)
—more at finger noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French suspeciun , from medieval Latin suspectio(n-) , from suspicere mistrust. The change in the second syllable was due to association with Old French suspicion (from Latin suspicio(n-) suspicion).