noun
theory
THEE-uh-ree/ˈθiːəri/
An organized explanation of how something works.
The scientist develops a theory to explain how light affects plant growth.
Etymology
Greek theōria connected looking at something with contemplating it. The mental sense developed into a scheme of ideas and then an explanation based on observation and reasoning.
In context
theory is the is the concentrated experience of the class struggle that's what they were doing writing down the generalized lessons of these events that could be applied by the revolutionary movement
More examples
- Germ theory explains how microorganisms cause many diseases.
- New evidence supports the theory of evolution.
- Researchers compare two theories that explain how planets form.
Forms
theory · theories
theorist noun — A person who develops or studies theories.
Similar words
- explanation
- Broader term; need not organize evidence into general principles.
- model
- A simplified representation used to explain or predict behavior.
- hypothesis
- A proposed explanation to test, rather than an established framework.