-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

42 / 291

adjective

conjectural

kuhn-JEK-chur-uhl/kənˈdʒektʃərəl/

Based on guesswork rather than firm evidence.

The vessel reconstructions are conjectural, based on just one small fragment.

A researcher proposes two incompatible reconstructions of a whole vessel from a single small pottery fragment.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+jectLatinthrow, cast

+urLatinan activity, result, or associated thing

+alLatinof, relating to

“Throwing together” became an image for assembling facts into an interpretation or inference. Conjectural describes something resting on such a guess rather than certain evidence.

In context

Pictures&More444:37

the whole theory of fraud was purely conjectural there was not a single particle of direct evidence

The D'Arblay Mystery by R. Austin Freeman | Detective Fiction | Audiobook

More examples

The budget figures are conjectural because several costs are unknown.
Her conjectural account of the city's founding draws on local legends.
Until researchers find more evidence, their conclusions remain conjectural.

Forms

conjectural

conjecture noun — A conclusion reached without firm evidence.

conjecturally adverb — Through guesswork rather than firm evidence.

Similar words

speculative: Often emphasizes exploring possibilities rather than drawing unsupported conclusions.
hypothetical: Describes something assumed for discussion, not necessarily a guess.