deduce
UK: dɪˈdjuːs | US: dɪˈduːs
vt. to reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence or premises
vt. to infer logically from general principles
The word "deduce" originates from Latin deducere ("to lead down or away"), combining de- (down) and ducere (to lead). It entered English in the 15th century via Old French, initially meaning "to trace the origin of something." Over time, it narrowed to its modern sense of logical inference—mentally "leading" from premises to a conclusion. The root ducere appears in many English words (e.g., "introduce," "reduce"), reflecting its foundational role in describing directional reasoning.
From the footprints, the detective deduced that the suspect was tall.
Scientists deduced the planet’s composition by analyzing light spectra.
She deduced his mood from his tone of voice.
The theorem was deduced from five basic axioms.
Can you deduce the meaning of this word from its context?