inference [in -fer-uh ns, -fruh ns]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for inference on Thesaurus.com the act or process of inferring. something that is inferred: to make rash inferences. Logic the process of deriving the strict logical consequences of assumed premises. 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. a proposition reached by a process of inference. Show More
Origin of inference From the
Medieval Latin word
inferentia, dating back to
1585–95. See
infer ,
-ence Related forms mis·in·fer·ence , noun pre·in·fer·ence , noun su·per·in·fer·ence , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for inference Contemporary Examples of inference The inference that the child was treated as an equal in the community is unwarranted.
This is an example of abductive reasoning: an inference is made based on known facts, in an effort to explain them.
The reasoning task requires the mice to make an inference by exclusion.
Sen. Claire McCaskill said the “innuendo and inference ” reminded her of Joe McCarthy.
The inference of “it” is that Burns himself wandered a painful distance down a suicidal path after being bullied in school.
Historical Examples of inference I knew not what the inference would be, if I said they were not.
The known facts, too, all corroborate this inference : let us consider them a little.
The inference is that he was imported from abroad for the purpose of committing this outrage.
But she guessed very well what inference was drawn from her application.
You say that the one proposition is an inference from the other.
British Dictionary definitions for inference the act or process of inferring an inferred conclusion, deduction, etc any process of reasoning from premises to a conclusion logic the specific mode of reasoning used See also deduction (def. 4) , induction (def. 4) Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for inference n. 1590s, from Medieval Latin inferentia , from Latin inferentem (nominative inferens ), present participle of inferre (see infer ).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with inference The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
