Question

conjecture verb When the noun conjecture entered English in the 14th century, it referred to the act of interpreting signs or omens especially to make prognostications. That sense is now obsolete, but by the 16th century both the noun and verb conjecture had acquired the meanings of speculation and inference that we use today. Conjecture derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin verb conicere ("to throw together"), a combination of com- ("together") and jacere ("to throw"). 1 : to arrive at or deduce by surmise or guesswork : guess2 : to form a supposition or inference

Accepted Answer

January 19, 2021 kun-JEK-cher Some scientists have conjectured that Jupiter's moon Europa could sustain life."He conjectured that the quick-sprouting barley would hold the sands through the winter and spring. This would give time for the lupine to establish itself, further stabilizing the dunes through the summer and following winter." — Gary Kamiya, The San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Sept. 2020

Word	conjecture
Date	January 19, 2021
Type	verb
Syllables	kun-JEK-cher
Etymology	When the noun conjecture entered English in the 14th century, it referred to the act of interpreting signs or omens especially to make prognostications. That sense is now obsolete, but by the 16th century both the noun and verb conjecture had acquired the meanings of speculation and inference that we use today. Conjecture derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin verb conicere ("to throw together"), a combination of com- ("together") and jacere ("to throw").
Examples	Some scientists have conjectured that Jupiter's moon Europa could sustain life. "He conjectured that the quick-sprouting barley would hold the sands through the winter and spring. This would give time for the lupine to establish itself, further stabilizing the dunes through the summer and following winter." — Gary Kamiya, The San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Sept. 2020
Definition	1 : to arrive at or deduce by surmise or guesswork : guess 2 : to form a supposition or inference

Conjecture Verb Noun English Inference Middle Conjectured January