surmise

Definition

Thought, imagination, or conjecture, which may be based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess.

Etymology

From Old French surmis, past participle of surmetre, surmettre (“to accuse”), from sur- (“upon”) + metre (“to put”).

Example Sentences

• "surmises of jealousy or of envy"
• "This opinion, however, is merely a surmise, which may or may not be the case."
• "But ſurely no Man whatſoever ought in Justice or good Manners to be charged with Principles he actually diſowns, unleſs his Practices do openly and without the leaſt Room for Doubt, contradict his Profeſſion: Not upon ſmall Surmiſes, or becauſe he has the Miſfortune to have Ill Men ſometimes agree with him in a few general Sentiments."