Nebular hypothesis

Nebular hypothesis
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}.


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Nebular hypothesis — Nebular Neb u*lar, a. Of or pertaining to nebul[ae]; of the nature of, or resembling, a nebula. [1913 Webster] {Nebular hypothesis}, an hypothesis to explain the process of formation of the stars and planets, presented in various forms by Kant,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nebular hypothesis — n. any of several hypotheses about the origin of the solar system, based on the theory that the sun and the planets formed at about the same time from a nebula …   English World dictionary

  • Nebular hypothesis — Star formation Interstellar medium Molecular cloud …   Wikipedia

  • nebular hypothesis — Astron. the theory that the solar system evolved from a mass of nebular matter: prominent in the 19th century following its precise formulation by Laplace. [1830 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • nebular hypothesis — neb′ular hypoth′esis n. astron. the theory that the solar system evolved from a mass of nebular matter • Etymology: 1830–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • nebular hypothesis — noun Date: 1837 a hypothesis in astronomy: the solar system has evolved from a hot gaseous nebula …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS —    the theory that the sun and planets with their satellites in the solar system were originally one mass of nebulous matter which, gradually cooling and contracting, under violent revolution resolved itself into separate revolving orbs …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • nebular hypothesis — /ˈnɛbjələ haɪˌpɒθəsəs/ (say nebyuhluh huy.pothuhsuhs) noun the theory that the solar system evolved from a mass of nebulous matter (a theory prominent in the 19th century following its precise formulation by Pierre Simon Laplace, 1749–1827,… …  

  • nebular hypothesis — noun (cosmology) the theory that the solar system evolved from a hot gaseous nebula • Topics: ↑cosmology, ↑cosmogony, ↑cosmogeny • Hypernyms: ↑scientific theory …   Useful english dictionary

  • Nebular — Neb u*lar, a. Of or pertaining to nebul[ae]; of the nature of, or resembling, a nebula. [1913 Webster] {Nebular hypothesis}, an hypothesis to explain the process of formation of the stars and planets, presented in various forms by Kant, Herschel …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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