What does the word theory really mean?

Answer 1

1. rules and techniques: the body of rules, ideas, principles, and techniques that applies to a subject, especially when seen as distinct from actual practice
economic theories
Many coaches have a good grasp of the theory of football but can't motivate players.


2. speculation: abstract thought or contemplation


3. idea formed by speculation: an idea of or belief about something arrived at through speculation or conjecture
She believed in the theory that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.


4. hypothetical circumstances: a set of circumstances or principles that is hypothetical
That's the theory, but it may not work out in practice.


5. scientific principle to explain phenomena: a set of facts, propositions, or principles analyzed in their relation to one another and used, especially in science, to explain phenomena


Synonyms: philosophy, model, concept, system, scheme, idea, notion, principle, belief, rule, technique
Synonyms: hypothesis, conjecture, speculation, assumption, premise, presumption, supposition, guess

Answer 2

According to my dictionary 'theory' is a derivative of 'theorem' which means 'a proposition never disproved'. Theory's definition is : an explanation or system of anything; an exposition of the abstract principles of a science or art; speculation as opposed to proof; a hypothesis; reasoned expectation as opposed to practice.

Derived from the Greek word theorema -theoreein meaning to view. Theaesthai ; to see.

An example of the use of theory would be, for example, in the design of an aeroplane. When the plan is drawn the designer knows that the plane should fly but until built does not know that it will except, of course, 'in theory'. When the plane does eventually fly it is then said to fly 'in practice'.

Answer 3

Main Entry: the·o·ry
Pronunciation: 'thE-&-rE, 'thir-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theOria, from theOrein
1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2 : abstract thought : SPECULATION
3 : the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art
4 a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action b : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances -- often used in the phrase in theory
5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena
6 a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption : CONJECTURE c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject
synonym see HYPOTHESIS

Answer 4

theory is what creationists like to say about evolution; and that seems to carry weight with some people.As used in science, theory does not mean the same thing as it does in everyday life. A theory is not a guess, hunch, hypothesis, or speculation — it's much more full-blown, and the word is by no means a pejorative term. A theory is built upon one or more hypotheses, and upon evidence.

Answer 5

Theory comes from the Greek word "teoría" that means contemplation, study. An abstraction of this meaning is "speculative knowledge aisled from reality"