theory
/ˈθɪ.ɹi/ noun B1- A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate.
- A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts new facts or phenomena not previously observed, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc.
- The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice.
- A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs. · Knot theory classifies the mappings of a circle into 3-space.
- A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them; or, a set of statements which are deductively closed. Equivalently, a formal language plus a set of axioms (from which can then be derived theorems). The statements may be required to all be bound (i.e., to have no free variables). · A theory is consistent if it has a model.
- The standardization and study of fixed sequences of moves, especially in the opening phase of a game. · Near-synonym: joseki
- A hypothesis or conjecture.
Plural theories
From the library
The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession.
“Well, then, we are driven back to the theory that it was done by someone from outside.
Douglas has spent most of his life in America, and this shotgun seems to be an American weapon, it would seem that the private grudge is the more likely theory.
“I’m bound to say this bears out your theory, Mr.
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