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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Hypothesis \Hy*poth"e*sis\, n.; pl. {Hypotheses}. [NL., fr. Gr.
? foundation, supposition, fr. ? to place under, ? under ?
to put. See {Hypo-}, {Thesis}.]
1. A supposition; a proposition or principle which is
supposed or taken for granted, in order to draw a
conclusion or inference for proof of the point in
question; something not proved, but assumed for the
purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an
occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an
overdue steamer.
[1913 Webster]

An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no
other limits to hypotheses than those of the human
imagination. --J. S. Mill.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Natural Science) A tentative theory or supposition
provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to
guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently
called a working hypothesis.

Syn: Supposition; assumption. See {Theory}.
[1913 Webster]

{Nebular hypothesis}. See under {Nebular}. Hypothetic