inferred

[in-furd]

adjective

1. derived by reasoning or concluded from evidence, or provisionally identified through either of these methods.

   An inferred weapon is one that we know exists due to forensic analysis of material from the crime scene.

2. assumed as a result of estimation or speculation.

   Investors should note the guesswork involved in the company's inferred mineral deposit, absent the site visit and technical report of a legally qualified person.

3. implied or hinted at.

   If I understand correctly, the inferred suggestion is that the journalist got his information from the victim's family.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of infer.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-inferred adjective
• uninferred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inferred¹

infer ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In written submissions, barrister David Sherborne said it could be "inferred" through an invoice that extensive details in a Daily Mail story ahead of Prince William's birthday party were "obtained through blagging" - meaning dishonestly.

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Aside from getting the name of the painting wrong, they inferred that this was the heritage we all share.

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He said McGreevy had a "long, complicated and sad history" and the court inferred on the day in question that the defendant was "frustrated with life and had certain complaints".

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To their surprise, they found that the Paris region was not as warm as had been inferred from the alpine trees.

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Before this study, prehistoric diet was inferred by analyzing secondary evidence, such as stone tools or the preserved remains of prey animals.

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