infer
UK: ɪnˈfɜː | US: ɪnˈfɜːr
vt. to deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements
vt. to imply or suggest (something) indirectly
infer = in<into> + fer<carry, bear>
- in (Latin: "into, toward") → Indicates direction or inward action.
- fer (Latin: "carry, bear") → Found in words like "transfer" (carry across) and "refer" (carry back).
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin inferre ("to bring into, carry in"), combining in- (into) and ferre (to carry). The word originally meant "to bring about" or "to inflict" (e.g., punishment) but evolved in English (16th century) to focus on logical deduction—metaphorically "carrying" meaning from evidence to conclusion.
From his silence, I inferred disagreement.
The data allows us to infer a trend of increasing demand.
She didn’t say it directly, but her tone inferred criticism.
Archaeologists infer ancient rituals from artifact arrangements.
Can we infer the author’s intent from these passages?