— hypothesist , n.
/huy poth"euh sis, hi-/ , n. , pl. hypotheses /-seez'/ .
1. a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
2. a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
3. the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
4. a mere assumption or guess.
[ 1590-1600; hypóthesis basis, supposition. See HYPO-, THESIS ]
Syn. 1. See theory .