WordNet Dictionary- [n] a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"
- [n] a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
- [n] a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\The"o*ry\, n.; pl. {Theories}. [F. th['e]orie, L.
theoria, Gr. ? a beholding, spectacle, contemplation,
speculation, fr. ? a spectator, ? to see, view. See
{Theater}.]
1. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in
speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice;
hypothesis; speculation.
Note: ``This word is employed by English writers in a very
loose and improper sense. It is with them usually
convertible into hypothesis, and hypothesis is commonly
used as another term for conjecture. The terms theory
and theoretical are properly used in opposition to the
terms practice and practical. In this sense, they were
exclusively employed by the ancients; and in this
sense, they are almost exclusively employed by the
Continental philosophers.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
2. An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any
science; as, the theory of music.
3. The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory
and practice of medicine.
4. The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either
physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion;
Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.
{Atomic theory}, {Binary theory}, etc. See under {Atomic},
{Binary}, etc.
Syn: Hypothesis, speculation.
Usage: {Theory}, {Hypothesis}. A theory is a scheme of the
relations subsisting between the parts of a systematic
whole; an hypothesis is a tentative conjecture
respecting a cause of phenomena.
Computing DictionaryThe consensus, idea, plan, story, or set of rules that is currently being used to inform a behaviour. This usage is a generalisation and (deliberate) abuse of the technical meaning. "What's the theory on fixing this TECO loss?" "What's the theory on dinner tonight?" ("Chinatown, I guess.") "What's the current theory on letting lusers on during the day?" "The theory behind this change is to fix the following well-known screw...."
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