HyperDic: theory

English > 3 senses of the word theory:
NOUNcognitiontheorya well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
cognitiontheory, hypothesis, possibilitya tentative insight into the natural world
cognitiontheorya belief that can guide behavior
theory > pronunciation
Soundsthih'riy; thiy'eriy
Rhymesaccusatory ... zealotry: 432 rhymes with riy...
accessory ... worry: 201 rhymes with eriy...
English > theory: 3 senses > noun 1, cognition
MeaningA 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 "true in fact and theory"
Partshypothesis, possibility, theoryA tentative insight into the natural world
law, law of natureA generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature
Narroweratomism, atomic theory, atomist theory, atomistic theory(chemistry) any theory in which all matter is composed of tiny discrete finite indivisible indestructible particles
blastogenesistheory that inherited characteristics / characteristics are transmitted by germ plasm
economic theory(economics) a theory of commercial activities (such as the production and consumption of goods)
field theory(physics) a theory that explains a physical phenomenon in terms of a field and the manner in which it interacts with matter or with other fields
holism, holistic theoryThe theory that the parts of any whole cannot exist and cannot be understood except in their relation to the whole
preformation, theory of preformationA theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell
reductionismA theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components
scientific theoryA theory that explains scientific observations
structuralism, structural anthropologyAn anthropological theory that there are unobservable social structures that generate observable social phenomena
structuralism, structural sociologyA sociological theory based on the premise that society comes before individuals
BroaderexplanationThought that makes something comprehensible
Spanishteoría
Catalanteoria
Adjectivestheoreticconcerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
Nounstheorist, theoreticiansomeone who theorizes / theorizes (especially in science or art)
English > theory: 3 senses > noun 2, cognition
MeaningA tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena.
Examples
  • "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"
Synonymshypothesis, possibility
Part oftheoryA well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
Narrowerassumption, supposition, supposalA hypothesis that is taken for granted
gemmuleThe physically discrete element that Darwin proposed as responsible for heredity
historicismA theory that social and cultural events are determined by history
hypotheticalA hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement / statement, proposal, situation, etc.
model, theoretical account, frameworkA hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
speculation, conjectureA hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
Broaderconcept, conception, constructAn abstract or general idea inferred / inferred / inferred / inferred or derived from specific instances
Spanishhipótesis, posibilidad, teoría
Catalanhipòtesi, teoria
Adjectivestheoreticconcerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
Nounstheorist, theoreticiansomeone who theorizes / theorizes (especially in science or art)
Verbstheorize, theoriseto believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
English > theory: 3 senses > noun 3, cognition
MeaningA belief that can guide behavior.
Examples
  • "the architect has a theory that more is less"
  • "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
Narroweregoism(ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality
patchwork, hodgepodge, jumbleA theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
BroaderbeliefAny cognitive content held as true
Spanishteoria, teoría
Catalanteoria
Nounstheoristsomeone who theorizes / theorizes (especially in science or art)
Verbstheorize, theoriseto believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

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