Inference

5 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Inference \In"fer*ence\, n. [From {Infer}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions,


              it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of
              inference.                            --Glanvill.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from
        another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a
        conclusion; a deduction. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of
              reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all
              together, are called syllogism, or argument. --I.
                                                    Watts.
  
     Syn: Conclusion; deduction; consequence.
  
     Usage: {Inference}, {Conclusion}. An inference is literally
            that which is brought in; and hence, a deduction or
            induction from premises, -- something which follows as
            certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger
            than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and
            terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or
            probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of
            reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the
            ultimate conclusion. "An inference is a proposition
            which is perceived to be true, because of its
            connection with some known fact." "When something is
            simply affirmed to be true, it is called a
            proposition; after it has been found to be true by
            several reasons or arguments, it is called a
            conclusion." --I. Taylor.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  inference
       n : the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a
           logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence
           and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct
           observation [syn: {illation}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  76 Moby Thesaurus words for "inference":
     Baconian method, a fortiori reasoning, a posteriori reasoning,
     a priori reasoning, allegory, allusion, analysis, arcane meaning,
     assumption, axiom, coloration, conclusion, conjecture, connotation,
     consequence, consequent, corollary, deduction, deductive reasoning,
     derivation, epagoge, generalization, guess, guessing, guesswork,
     hint, hypothesis, hypothesis and verification, illation,
     implication, implied meaning, import, induction,
     inductive reasoning, innuendo, intimation, ironic suggestion,
     judgment, meaning, metaphorical sense, nuance, occult meaning,
     overtone, particularization, philosophical induction, postulate,
     postulation, postulatum, premise, presumption, presupposal,
     presupposition, proposition, ratiocination, reckoning, sequitur,
     set of postulates, subsense, subsidiary sense, suggestion,
     supposal, supposing, supposition, surmise, syllogism,
     syllogistic reasoning, symbolism, synthesis, thesis, tinge, touch,
     undercurrent, undermeaning, understanding, undertone,
     working hypothesis
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  inference
       
           The logical process by which new facts are derived
          from known facts by the application of {inference rule}s.
       
          See also {symbolic inference}, {type inference}.
       
          (1995-03-20)
       
       

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  INFERENCE. A conclusion drawn by reason from premises established by proof. 
       2. It is the province of the judge who is to decide upon the facts to 
  draw the inference. When the facts are submitted to the court, the judges 
  draw the inference; when they are to be ascertained by a jury, it is their 
  duty to do so. The witness is not permitted as a general rule to draw an 
  inference, and testify that to the court or jury. It is his duty to state 
  the facts simply as they occurred. Inferences differ from presumptions.
  (q.v.)