supposition

American  

[suhp-uh-zish-uhn] / ˌsʌp əˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of supposing.

2. something that is supposed; assumption; hypothesis.

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supposition British  

/ ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of supposing

2. a fact, theory, etc, that is supposed

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Other Word Forms

• nonsuppositional
  adjective
• suppositional
  adjective
• suppositionless
  adjective
• unsuppositional
  adjective
• nonsuppositionally
  adverb
• suppositionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of supposition

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin suppositiōn- (stem of suppositiō ) “substitution” ( English meaning by association with suppose ), equivalent to supposit(us) (past participle of suppōnere “to substitute”) + -iōn- stem of noun suffix -io; see origin at -ion, sup-, position

Explanation

A supposition is a guess or a hypothesis. Your supposition that your kids will automatically wash their hands before dinner is probably false. You'd best remind them to do it or risk dirty hands at dinner. What's the difference between an assumption and a supposition — both nouns that are often taken as synonyms for each other? An assumption is an idea or theory that is usually made without proof. A supposition, on the other hand, has the connotation that the idea or theory is testable and provable. If you are to meet someone named Hunter, you may make the assumption that you are meeting a man. But if you know that Hunter lives in an all-female dorm, you may have the supposition that Hunter is a woman.

Example Sentences

The said Panurge resolved the problem very neatly, saying, That which makes asses to have such great ears is that their dams did put no biggins on their heads, as Alliaco mentioneth in his Suppositions.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 2 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Now this Proposal can never terminate the Dispute between us and them, but on one or other of the following Suppositions.

From An Humble Address and Earnest Appeal to Those Respectable Personages in Great-Britain and Ireland, Who, by Their Great and Permanent Interest in Landed Property, Their Liberal Education, Elevated Rank, and Enlarged Views, Are the Ablest to Judge, and the Fittest to Decide, Whether a Connection with, Or a Separation from the Continental Colonies of America, Be Most for the National Advantage, and the Lasting Benefit of These Kingdoms by Tucker, Josiah

Suppositions she had in plenty, but actual knowledge none, and she took evident pleasure in losing herself in extravagant conjectures.

From The Truth About Tristrem Varick A Novel by Saltus, Edgar

The Reason of it however cannot be so easily assigned, at least a satisfactory Reason, for as to Suppositions, every fanciful Man can furnish them at Pleasure.

From The Shepherd of Banbury's Rules to Judge of the Changes of the Weather, Grounded on Forty Years' Experience by Claridge, John

Whatever I have wrote of that kind, are really, as they are entitled, but Conjectures and Suppositions; which ought always to give place, when careful observation militates against them.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Related Words

• conjecture
• guesswork
• hunch
• hypothesis
• presumption
• thesis