inference

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnf(ə)r(ə)ns/

noun

  • a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning: researchers are entrusted with drawing inferences from the data it seemed a fair inference that such books would be grouped together
  • [mass noun] the process of inferring something: his emphasis on order and health, and by inference cleanliness

Derivatives

inferential

Pronunciation: /-ˈrɛnʃ(ə)l/
adjective

inferentially

Pronunciation: /-ˈrɛnʃ(ə)li/
adverb

Origin:

late 16th century: from medieval Latin inferentia, from inferent- 'bringing in', from the verb inferre (see infer)