inference

[in-fer-uhns, -fruhns]

noun

1. the act or process of inferring.

2. something that is inferred.

   to make rash inferences.

3. Logic.

   1. the process of deriving the strict logical consequences of assumed premises.

   2. the process of arriving at some conclusion that, though it is not logically derivable from the assumed premises, possesses some degree of probability relative to the premises.

   3. a proposition reached by a process of inference.

inference

/ ˈɪnfərəns, -frəns /

noun

1. the act or process of inferring

2. an inferred conclusion, deduction, etc

3. any process of reasoning from premises to a conclusion

4. logic the specific mode of reasoning used See also deduction induction

inference

1. In logic, the deriving of one idea from another. Inference can proceed through either induction or deduction.

Other Word Forms

• misinference noun
• preinference noun
• superinference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inference¹

From the Medieval Latin word inferentia, dating back to 1585–95. See infer, -ence

Idioms and Phrases

see draw an inference.

Related Words

• assumption 
• conjecture 
• interpretation 
• presumption 
• reasoning 
• supposition