rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: con-
Latin

con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

  • con-
  • com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
  • col- — The final consonant changed before l.
  • cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
  • co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

45 / 108
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.