D defs.my
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Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Surmise

/(sûr*mīz")/ · Sur·mise · IPA /sɚˈmaɪz/
01 n. A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmises of jealousy or of envy.
  1. 1.
    A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmises of jealousy or of envy.
    “[We] double honor gain From his surmise proved false.” — Milton.
    “No man ought to be charged with principles he actually disowns, unless his practicies contradict his profession; not upon small surmises.” — Swift.
  2. 2.
    Reflection; thought.[Obs.]
Syn. Conjecture; supposition; suspicion; doubt.
02 v. t. To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess.
imp. & p. p. Surmised; p. pr. & vb. n. Surmising
  1. 1.
    To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess.
    “It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew That what before she but surmised, was true.” — Dryden.
    “This change was not wrought by altering the form or position of the earth, as was surmised by a very learned man, but by dissolving it.” — Woodward.