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
(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy; "her eyes with their misted askance look"- Elizabeth Bowen; "sidelong glances"
with a side or oblique glance; "did not quite turn all the way back but looked askance at me with her dark eyes"
with suspicion or disapproval; "he looked askance at the offer"
roundabout or ambiguous; "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal"
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
English statesman and philosopher; precursor of British empiricism; advocated inductive reasoning (1561-1626)
English scientist and Franciscan monk who stressed the importance of experimentation; first showed that air is required for combustion and first used lenses to correct vision (1220-1292)