|
English to English noun
| 1 |
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena |  | Example: theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses true in fact and theory
source: wordnet30
| 2 |
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena |  | Example: a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
source: wordnet30
| 3 |
a belief that can guide behavior |  | Example: the architect has a theory that more is less they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
source: wordnet30
| 4 |
A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation. |  | source: webster1913
|