theory

1. a principle or body of interrelated principles that purports to explain or predict a number of interrelated phenomena. See construct; model.

2. in the philosophy of science, a set of logically related explanatory hypotheses that are consistent with a body of empirical facts and that may suggest more empirical relationships. See scientific explanation.

3. in general usage, abstract or speculative thought as opposed to practice. —theoretical adj.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

May 4th 2024

indirect speech act

a speech act whose purpose is not explicit from the form or content of the utterance but must be inferred. For example, the apparent observation It’s so cold in here! may well be intended as a request that someone close the window. See conversational inference; form–function distinction; implicature.