conjecture
UK: kənˈdʒɛktʃə | US: kənˈdʒɛktʃər
n. An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information; a guess.
vt. To form an opinion or supposition based on incomplete information.
The word "conjecture" originates from Latin coniectura, meaning "interpretation" or "inference," derived from conicere ("to throw together"). The morpheme con- (together) combines with -ject- (throw), reflecting the idea of "throwing together" facts or observations to form a theory. The suffix -ure nominalizes the action, resulting in "a product of reasoning." Over time, the term evolved to emphasize speculative reasoning due to its reliance on incomplete evidence.
Her theory about the ancient ruins was pure conjecture.
Scientists often conjecture about the origins of the universe.
Without data, his argument remained mere conjecture.
The detective’s conjecture led to a breakthrough in the case.
Historians avoid relying solely on conjecture when documenting events.