Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Surmise?

\Sur*mise"\, n. [OF. surmise accusation, fr. surmettre, p. p. surmis, to impose, accuse; sur (see {Sur-}) + mettre to put, set, L. mittere to send. See {Mission}.] 1. A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmisses of jealousy or of envy. [We] double honor gain From his surmise proved false. --Milton. No man ought to be charged with principles he actually disowns, unless his practicies contradict his profession; not upon small surmises. --Swift. 2. Reflection; thought. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: Conjecture; supposition; suspicion; doubt.
\Sur*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Surmised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Surmising}.] To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess. It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew That what before she but surmised, was true. --Dryden. This change was not wrought by altering the form or position of the earth, as was surmised by a very learned man, but by dissolving it. --Woodward.