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hypotaxis
hypotension
hypotenuse
hypoth.
hypothalamus
hypothecate
hypothermal
hypothermia
hypothesis
hypothesize
hypothetical
hypothetical imperative
hypothyroidism
hypotonia
hypotonic
hypotrachelium
hypoventilate
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hypothesis
hypothesis [ hī póthəssiss ] (plural hypotheses [ hī póthə seez ])


noun 
Definition:
 
1. theory needing investigation: a tentative explanation for a phenomenon, used as a basis for further investigation
The hypothesis of the big bang is one way to explain the beginning of the universe.
2. assumption: a statement that is assumed to be true for the sake of argument
That is what would logically follow if you accepted the hypothesis.
3. antecedent clause: in logic, the antecedent of a conditional statement
[Late 16th century. Via late Latin< Greek hupothesis 'foundation, base' < thesis 'placing']

hypothesist noun
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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