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English to English noun 1. 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 source: wordnet30
2. a tentative insight into 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 source: wordnet30
3. 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 source: wordnet30
4. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation. source: webster1913
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