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conjecture

Syllabification: (con·jec·ture)
Pronunciation: /kənˈjekCHər/
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Definition of conjecture

noun

  • an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information:conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied the purpose of the opening in the wall is open to conjecture
  • an unproven mathematical or scientific theorem:the Goldbach conjecture
  • (in textual criticism) the suggestion or reconstruction of a reading of a text not present in the original source.

verb

[with object]
  • form an opinion or supposition about (something) on the basis of incomplete information:he conjectured the existence of an otherwise unknown feature many conjectured that she had a second husband in mind
  • (in textual criticism) propose (a reading).

Derivatives

conjecturable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (in the senses 'to divine' and 'divination'): from Old French, or from Latin conjectura, from conicere 'put together in thought', from con- 'together' + jacere 'throw'

conjecture in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of conjecture in the British & World English dictionary

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