a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception; "a poem or essay may be typical of its period in idea or ideal content"
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty; "my opinion differs from yours"; "what are your thoughts on Haiti?"
the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision; "opinions are usually written by a single judge"
a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof; "his opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page"
look forward to the birth of a child; "She is expecting in March"
consider reasonable or due; "I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed"
regard something as probable or likely; "The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow"
look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted"
a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular); "he discussed the general but neglected the particular"
a general officer of the highest rank
the head of a religious order or congregation
prevailing among and common to the general public; "the general discontent"
not specialized or limited to one class of things; "general studies"; "general knowledge"
applying to all or most members of a category or group; "the general public"; "general assistance"; "a general rule"; "in general terms"; "comprehensible to the general reader"
of national scope; "a general election"
affecting the entire body; "a general anesthetic"; "general symptoms"
somewhat indefinite; "bearing a general resemblance to the original"; "a general description of the merchandise"
command as a general; "We are generaled by an incompetent!"