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January 19, 2021

Word of the Day: Conjecture

1 CQ

Word of the Day : January 19, 2021

conjecture \kun-JEK-cher\ verb

Definition

1 : to arrive at or deduce by surmise or guesswork : guess

2 : to form a supposition or inference

Did You Know?

When the noun conjecture entered English in the 14th century, it referred to the act of interpreting signs or omens especially to make prognostications. That sense is now obsolete, but by the 16th century both the noun and verb conjecture had acquired the meanings of speculation and inference that we use today. Conjecture derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin verb conicere ("to throw together"), a combination of com- ("together") and jacere ("to throw").

Aired January 19, 2021

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