infer
Etymology

From Latin inferō, from Latin in- + Latin ferō (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from itc-pro *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti, from the root *bʰer-.

Pronunciation
  • (RP, Australia) IPA: /ɪnˈfɜː/
  • (America, Canada) IPA: /ɪnˈfɝ/
Verb

infer (third-person singular simple present infers, present participle inferring, simple past and past participle inferred)

  1. (transitive) To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence. [from 16th c.]
    Synonyms: conclude, deduce, educe, construe
  2. (transitive, often, proscribed) To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. [from 16th c.]
    Synonyms: imply, suggest, entail
    • a. 1535, Thomas More, letter to Fryth
      the fyrste parte is not the proofe of the second. but rather contrarywyse the seconde inferreth well yͤ fyrst.
    • c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene v]:
      This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
    • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC ↗:
      These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre [translating sonnent] some thing beyond patient expecting of death it selfe to be suffered in this life […].
  3. (obsolete) To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone. [16th]
    • 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC ↗:
      faire Serena […] fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd […].
  4. (obsolete) To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce. [16th–18th c.]
    • c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act II, scene ii]:
      Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.
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