a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"
a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play"
take something as preexisting and given
set forth beforehand, often as an explanation; "He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand"
set up on the principle of collectivism or ownership and production by the workers involved usually under the supervision of a government; "collective farms"
not leading to a definite ending or result; "an indeterminate campaign"
not capable of being determined; "the indeterminate number of plant species in the jungle"
not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance; "of indeterminate age"; "a zillion is a large indeterminate number"; "an indeterminate point of law"; "the influence of environment is indeterminate"; "an indeterminate future"
having a capacity for continuing to grow at the apex; "an indeterminate stem"
of uncertain or ambiguous nature; "the equivocal (or indeterminate) objects painted by surrealists"
the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained; "the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture"
the most important or necessary part of something; "the basis of this drink is orange juice"