Definizione monolingua

theory

theory (countable and uncountable; plural theories)

1. (obsolete) Mental conception; reflection, consideration. [16th-18th c.]
   • 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, VII.19:

     As they encrease the hatred of vice in some, so doe they enlarge the theory of wickednesse in all.

2. (sciences) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc. [from 17th c.]
   • 2002, Duncan Steel, The Guardian, 23 May 2002:

     It was only when Einsteins theory of relativity was published in 1915 that physicists could show that Mercurys ""anomaly"" was actually because Newtons gravitational theory was incomplete.

   • 2003, Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything, BCA, p. 118:

     The world would need additional decades [...] before the Big Bang would begin to move from interesting idea to established theory.

3. (uncountable) The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice. [from 17th c.]
   • 1990, Tony Bennett, Outside Literature, p. 139:

     Does this mean, then, that there can be no such thing as a theory of literature?

   • 1998, Elizabeth Souritz, The Great History of Russian Ballet:

     Lopukhov wrote a number of books and articles on ballet theory, as well as his memoirs.

4. (mathematics) A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs. [from 18th c.]

   Knot theory classifies the mappings of a circle into 3-space.

5. A hypothesis or conjecture. [from 18th c.]
   • 1999, Wes DeMott, Vapors:

     Its just a theory I have, and I wonder if women would agree. But dont men say a lot about themselves when a short-skirted woman slides out of a car or chair?

   • 2003, Sean Coughlan, The Guardian, 21 Jun 2003:

     The theory is that by stripping costs to the bone, they are able to offer ludicrously low fares.

6. (countable) (logic) A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them. Equivalently, a formal language plus a set of axioms (from which can then be derived theorems).

   A theory is consistent if it has a model.

Definizione dizionario theory

	teoria
	an unproven conjecture
	science: a logical structure that enables one to deduce the possible results
	a field of study in mathematics
	in logic: a set of axioms and all statements derivable from them
	A scientific model or statement that attempts to explain observed phenomena.
	An unproven conjecture.

dottrina

gamma

idea

ipotesi

opinione

Altri significati:

(countable) (logic) A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them.

(countable, proscribed) An unproven conjecture.

(uncountable) (mathematics) A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs.

(uncountable) expectation

(uncountable) An expectation of what should happen, barring unforeseen circumstances.

(countable) (sciences) A coherent statement or set of statements that attempts to explain observed phenomena.

(countable) (sciences) A logical structure that enables one to deduce the possible results of every experiment that falls within its purview.

a coherent set of statements attempting to explain observed phenomena