surmise

SURMISE, verb transitive surmi'ze. To suspect; to imagine without certain knowledge; to entertain thoughts that something does or will exist, but upon slight evidence. It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew That what before she but surmis'd, was true. 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. SURMI'SE, noun Suspicion; the thought or imagination that something may be, of which however there is no certain or strong evidence; as the surmises of jealousy or of envy. We double honor gain From his surmise prov'd false. No man ought to be charged with principles he disowns, unless his practices contradict his professions; not upon small surmises.