Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Hypothetical
{
Hyˊpo-thet′ic
,Hyˊpo-thet′ic-al
, }Adj.
[L.
hypotheticus
, Gr. [GREEK]: cf. F. hypothétique
.] Characterized by, or of the nature of, an hypothesis; conditional; assumed without proof, for the purpose of reasoning and deducing proof, or of accounting for some fact or phenomenon.
Causes
– hypothetical
at least, if not real, for the various phenomena of the existence of which our experience informs us. Sir W. Hamilton.
Hyˊpo-thet′ic-al-ly
, adv.
South.
Definition 2024
hypothetical
hypothetical
English
Adjective
hypothetical (comparative more hypothetical, superlative most hypothetical)
- Based upon a hypothesis; conjectural
- 2006, ACLU v. NSA (District Court opinion):
- To establish standing under Article III, a plaintiff must satisfy the following three requirements: (1) "the plaintiff must have suffered an injury in fact - an invasion of a legally protected interest which is (a) concrete and particularized, and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical"; ...
-
- (philosophy) conditional; contingent upon some hypothesis/antecedent
Synonyms
- conjectural
- (contingent upon some hypothesis): conditional
Antonyms
- (actual): actual
- (in philosophy): categorical
Translations
based upon a hypothesis
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Noun
hypothetical (plural hypotheticals)
- A hypothetical situation or proposition
- These hypotheticals serve no purpose until we have more information.