supposal

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman supposaille, supposail, corresponding to suppose +‎ -al.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /səˈpəʊzəl/
• Rhymes: -əʊzəl

Noun

supposal (countable and uncountable, plural supposals)

1. The act of supposing; supposition. [from 15th c.]
2. Something supposed; a supposition, a hypothesis. [from 16th c.]
   • 1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographica, section XLII:

     [W]e may, if we attentively consider and examine it, find that there are circumstances sufficient, upon the supposals of the excellent contrivance of their machine, to excite and force them to act after such or such a manner […].

   • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, →OCLC:

     Interest, with a Jew, never proceeds but upon supposal, at least, of a firm and sufficient bottom.