infer
verbAU, UK /ɪnˈfɜː/ · CA, US /ɪnˈfɝ/
Etymology From Latin inferō, from Latin in- (“in, at, on; into”) + Latin ferō (“bear, carry; suffer”) (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from Proto-Italic *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (“to bear, carry”), from the root *bʰer-. Literally “carry forward”, equivalent to “bear in”, as in concluding from a premise. Doublet of inbear.
1
To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
- It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.2010 October 7, “Keep calm, but don't carry on”, in The Economist:
2
Often, Proscribed To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
- 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.
- This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]:
1 more example
- 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[…].1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
3
Obsolete To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone.
- faire Serena[…]fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd[…].1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
4
Obsolete To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce.
- Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.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]:
- Derived terms
- inferability, inferable, inference, inferrable, inferral, inferrer, misinfer, reinfer, subinfer, uninferant