hypothesis
/haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/noun
(pl.hypotheses /-siːz/)
1- a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation假设：
his 'steady state' hypothesis of the origin of the universe.
他对宇宙起源的“定态”假设。
1.1
- Philosophy a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth【哲】前提。
词源
late 16th cent.: via late Latin from Greek hupothesis 'foundation', from hupo 'under' + thesis 'placing'.