suspicion

 
Pronunciation: /səˈspɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1a feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true: she had a sneaking suspicion that he was laughing at her
  • a feeling or belief that someone is guilty of an illegal, dishonest, or unpleasant action: police would not say what aroused their suspicions [mass noun]: he was arrested on suspicion of murder
  • 2 [mass noun] cautious distrust: her activities were regarded with suspicion by the headmistress
  • 3a very slight trace: a suspicion of a smile

Phrases

above suspicion

too obviously good or honest to be thought capable of wrongdoing.

under suspicion

thought to be guilty of wrongdoing.

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')