English to English noun
1 |
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 | Example:
• theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses • true in fact and theory
source: wordnet30
2 |
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena | Example:
• 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
source: wordnet30
3 |
a belief that can guide behavior | Example:
• the architect has a theory that more is less • they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
source: wordnet30
4 |
A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation. | source: webster1913
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