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inference

[ in-fer-uhns, -fruhns ]
/ ˈɪn fər əns, -frəns /
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See synonyms for: inference / inferences on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or process of inferring.
something that is inferred: to make rash inferences.
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.

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Origin of inference

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

OTHER WORDS FROM inference

mis·in·fer·ence, nounpre·in·fer·ence, nounsu·per·in·fer·ence, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to inference

presumption, conjecture, interpretation, supposition, assumption, reasoning, corollary, reading, guess, hint

Example sentences from the Web for inference

British Dictionary definitions for inference

inference
/ (ˈɪnfərəns, -frəns) /

noun

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 usedSee also deduction (def. 4), induction (def. 4)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for inference

inference

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

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

inference

see draw an inference.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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