empirical research: an empirical search for knowledge


control experiment: an experiment designed to control for variables affecting the results of another experiment


control condition: a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment


control: a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment


condition: the procedure that is varied in order to estimate a variable's effect by comparison with a control condition


experimental condition: the procedure that is varied in order to estimate a variable's effect by comparison with a control condition


pilot experiment: a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment


trial: trying something to find out about it


trial run: trying something to find out about it


test: trying something to find out about it


tryout: trying something to find out about it


field trial: a test of the performance of some new product under the conditions in which it will be used


field test: a test of the performance of some new product under the conditions in which it will be used


alpha test: (computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer


beta test: (computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization


road test: a test to insure that a vehicle is roadworthy


testament: a profession of belief


test drive: test of the roadworthiness of a vehicle one is considering buying


trial balloon: a test of public opinion


probe: an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities


investigation: an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities


fishing expedition: an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information


poll: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people


opinion poll: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people


public opinion poll: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people


canvass: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people


exit poll: a poll of voters as they leave the voting place; usually taken by news media in order to predict the outcome of an election


straw vote: an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue


straw poll: an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue


heraldry: the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies


calculation: problem solving that involves numbers or quantities


computation: problem solving that involves numbers or quantities


figuring: problem solving that involves numbers or quantities


reckoning: problem solving that involves numbers or quantities


extrapolation: (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values


interpolation: (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known


conversion: a change in the units or form of an expression:


data conversion: conversion from one way of encoding data to another way


digitization: conversion of analog information into digital information


digitisation: conversion of analog information into digital information


estimate: an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth


estimation: an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth


approximation: an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth


idea: an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth


credit rating: an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments


credit: an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments


guess: an estimate based on little or no information


guesswork: an estimate based on little or no information


guessing: an estimate based on little or no information


shot: an estimate based on little or no information


dead reckoning: an estimate based on little or no information


guesstimate: an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing


guestimate: an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing


overestimate: a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high


overestimation: a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high


overrating: a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high


overreckoning: a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high


underestimate: an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value


underestimation: an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value


underrating: an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value


underreckoning: an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value


knowing: a clear and certain mental apprehension


know: the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people


cognizance: range of what one can know or understand


ken: range of what one can know or understand


prevision: seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing


foresight: seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing


farsightedness: seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing


prospicience: seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing


understanding: the cognitive condition of someone who understands


apprehension: the cognitive condition of someone who understands


discernment: the cognitive condition of someone who understands


savvy: the cognitive condition of someone who understands


comprehension: an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)


incomprehension: an inability to understand


self-knowledge: an understanding of yourself and your goals and abilities


smattering: a slight or superficial understanding of a subject


appreciation: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something


grasp: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something


hold: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something


grasping: understanding with difficulty


sense: a natural appreciation or ability


hindsight: understanding the nature of an event after it has happened


insight: the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation


brainstorm: the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation


brainwave: the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation


realization: coming to understand something clearly and distinctly


realisation: coming to understand something clearly and distinctly


recognition: coming to understand something clearly and distinctly


light: mental understanding as an enlightening experience


revelation: an enlightening or astonishing disclosure


discovery: a productive insight


breakthrough: a productive insight


find: a productive insight


flash: a sudden brilliant understanding


linguistic process: the cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication


language: the cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication


reading: the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message


speed-reading: reading at speeds significantly faster than normal


content: the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned


cognitive content: the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned


mental object: the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned


tradition: an inherited pattern of thought or action


world: all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you


reality: all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you


otherworld: an abstract spiritual world beyond earthly reality


real world: the practical world as opposed to the academic world


real life: the practical world as opposed to the academic world


deja vu: the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before


life: the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities


living: the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities


reliving: a recurrence of a prior experience


re-experiencing: a recurrence of a prior experience


object: the focus of cognitions or feelings


food: anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking


food for thought: anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking


intellectual nourishment: anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking


pabulum: insipid intellectual nourishment


antipathy: the object of a feeling of intense aversion; something to be avoided


bugbear: an object of dread or apprehension; ; --Ralph Waldo Emerson


hobgoblin: an object of dread or apprehension; ; --Ralph Waldo Emerson


execration: the object of cursing or detestation; that which is execrated


center: the object upon which interest and attention focuses


centre: the object upon which interest and attention focuses


center of attention: the object upon which interest and attention focuses


centre of attention: the object upon which interest and attention focuses


conversation piece: something interesting that stimulates conversation


crosshairs: a center of interest


cynosure: something that strongly attracts attention and admiration


eye-catcher: a striking person or thing that attracts attention


hallucination: an object perceived during a hallucinatory episode


infatuation: an object of extravagant short-lived passion


love: any object of warm affection or devotion


passion: any object of warm affection or devotion


noumenon: the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception


thing-in-itself: the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception


reminder: an experience that causes you to remember something


memento: a reminder of past events


souvenir: a reminder of past events


memento mori: a reminder (as a death's head) of your mortality


shades of: something that reminds you of someone or something


universe: everything stated or assumed in a given discussion


universe of discourse: everything stated or assumed in a given discussion


topic: some situation or event that is thought about


subject: some situation or event that is thought about


issue: some situation or event that is thought about


matter: some situation or event that is thought about


issue: an important question that is in dispute and must be settled


gut issue: an issue that elicits strong emotional reactions


hot-button issue: an issue that elicits strong emotional reactions


paramount issue: an issue whose settlement is more important than anything else; and issue that must be settled before anything else can be settled


pocketbook issue: an issue whose settlement will affect financial resources


bread-and-butter issue: an issue whose settlement will affect financial resources


quodlibet: an issue that is presented for formal disputation


area: a subject of study


blind spot: a subject about which you are ignorant or prejudiced and fail to exercise good judgment


remit: the topic that a person, committee, or piece of research is expected to deal with or has authority to deal with


res judicata: a matter already settled in court; cannot be raised again


res adjudicata: a matter already settled in court; cannot be raised again


information: knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction


datum: an item of factual information derived from measurement or research


data point: an item of factual information derived from measurement or research


reading: a datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument


meter reading: a datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument


indication: a datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument


acquaintance: personal knowledge or information about someone or something


familiarity: personal knowledge or information about someone or something


conversance: personal knowledge or information about someone or something


conversancy: personal knowledge or information about someone or something


fact: a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred


case: the actual state of things


detail: an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole


item: an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole


point: an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole


particular: a fact about some part (as opposed to general)


specific: a fact about some part (as opposed to general)


general: a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)


matter of fact: a matter that is an actual fact or is demonstrable as a fact


observation: facts learned by observing


scientific fact: an observation that has been confirmed repeatedly and is accepted as true (although its truth is never final)


reason: a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion


score: the facts about an actual situation


truth: a fact that has been verified


home truth: an important truth that is unpleasant to acknowledge (as about yourself)


verity: an enduring or necessary ethical or religious or aesthetic truth


minutia: a small or minor detail


nook and cranny: something remote


nooks and crannies: something remote


respect: (usually preceded by `in') a detail or point


regard: (usually preceded by `in') a detail or point


sticking point: a point at which an impasse arises in progress toward an agreement or a goal


technicality: a detail that is considered insignificant


trifle: a detail that is considered insignificant


triviality: a detail that is considered insignificant


example: an item of information that is typical of a class or group


illustration: an item of information that is typical of a class or group


instance: an item of information that is typical of a class or group


representative: an item of information that is typical of a class or group


apology: a poor example


excuse: a poor example


exception: an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization


precedent: an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time


case in point: an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time


quintessence: the most typical example or representative of a type


sample: a small part of something intended as representative of the whole


coupon: a test sample of some substance


cross section: a sample meant to be representative of a whole population


specimen: an example regarded as typical of its class


grab sample: a single sample or measurement taken at a specific time or over as short a period as feasible


random sample: a sample grabbed at random


tasting: a small amount (especially of food or wine)


circumstance: information that should be kept in mind when making a decision


condition: information that should be kept in mind when making a decision


consideration: information that should be kept in mind when making a decision


justification: something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary


mitigating circumstance: (law) a circumstance that does not exonerate a person but which reduces the penalty associated with the offense


background: information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem


background knowledge: information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem


descriptor: a piece of stored information that is used to identify an item in an information storage and retrieval system


evidence: your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief


grounds: your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief


predictor: information that supports a probabilistic estimate of future events


probable cause: (law) evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure


proof: any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something


cogent evidence: any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something


reductio ad absurdum: (reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of the proposition are absurd; or a proof of a proposition by showing that its negation leads to a contradiction


reductio: (reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of the proposition are absurd; or a proof of a proposition by showing that its negation leads to a contradiction


confirmation: additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct


verification: additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct


check: additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct


substantiation: additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct


bed check: a check that everyone is in bed by the time they should be


crosscheck: an instance of confirming something by considering information from several sources


parity check: a system of checking for errors in computer functioning


redundancy check: a system of checking for errors in computer functioning


odd-even check: a system of checking for errors in computer functioning


checksum: a digit representing the sum of the digits in an instance of digital data; used to check whether errors have occurred in transmission or storage


establishment: the cognitive process of establishing a valid proof


validation: the cognitive process of establishing a valid proof


disproof: any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something


falsification: any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something


refutation: any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something


confutation: evidence that refutes conclusively


counterexample: refutation by example


lead: evidence pointing to a possible solution


track: evidence pointing to a possible solution


trail: evidence pointing to a possible solution


tip-off: inside information that something is going to happen


evocation: stimulation that calls up (draws forth) a particular class of behaviors


induction: stimulation that calls up (draws forth) a particular class of behaviors


elicitation: stimulation that calls up (draws forth) a particular class of behaviors


kick: the sudden stimulation provided by strong drink (or certain drugs)


stimulation: any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action


stimulus: any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action


stimulant: any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action


input: any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action


turn-on: something causing excitement or stimulating interest


turnoff: something causing antagonism or loss of interest


negative stimulation: something causing antagonism or loss of interest


conditioned stimulus: the stimulus that is the occasion for a conditioned response


reinforcing stimulus: (psychology) a stimulus that strengthens or weakens the behavior that produced it


reinforcer: (psychology) a stimulus that strengthens or weakens the behavior that produced it


reinforcement: (psychology) a stimulus that strengthens or weakens the behavior that produced it


positive reinforcing stimulus: a reinforcing stimulus that serves to increase the likelihood of the response that produces it


positive reinforcer: a reinforcing stimulus that serves to increase the likelihood of the response that produces it


negative reinforcing stimulus: a reinforcing stimulus whose removal serves to decrease the likelihood of the response that produced it


negative reinforcer: a reinforcing stimulus whose removal serves to decrease the likelihood of the response that produced it


discriminative stimulus: a stimulus that provides information about what to do


cue: a stimulus that provides information about what to do


positive stimulus: a stimulus with desirable consequences


negative stimulus: a stimulus with undesirable consequences


bonus: anything that tends to arouse


fillip: anything that tends to arouse


joy: something or someone that provides a source of happiness


delight: something or someone that provides a source of happiness


pleasure: something or someone that provides a source of happiness


annoyance: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


bother: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


botheration: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


pain: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


infliction: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


pain in the neck: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


pain in the ass: something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness


nuisance: (law) a broad legal concept including anything that disturbs the reasonable use of your property or endangers life and health or is offensive


abatable nuisance: a nuisance that can remedied (suppressed or extinguished or rendered harmless)


attractive nuisance: anything on your premises that might attract children into danger or harm


mixed nuisance: a nuisance that is both a public nuisance and a private nuisance at the same time


private nuisance: a nuisance that interferes with your interest in and private use and enjoyment of your land


public nuisance: a nuisance that unreasonably interferes with a right that is common to the general public


common nuisance: a nuisance that unreasonably interferes with a right that is common to the general public


irritant: something that causes irritation and annoyance


thorn: something that causes irritation and annoyance


plague: an annoyance


aversive stimulus: any negative stimulus to which an organism will learn to make a response that avoids it


concern: something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness


worry: something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness


headache: something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness


vexation: something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness


bugaboo: a source of concern


burden: an onerous or difficult concern


load: an onerous or difficult concern


encumbrance: an onerous or difficult concern


incumbrance: an onerous or difficult concern


onus: an onerous or difficult concern


business: a rightful concern or responsibility


dead weight: an oppressive encumbrance


fardel: a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle)


imposition: an uncalled-for burden


pill: something unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured


grief: something that causes great unhappiness


sorrow: something that causes great unhappiness


idea: the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about


thought: the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about


inspiration: arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity


source: anything that provides inspiration for later work


seed: anything that provides inspiration for later work


germ: anything that provides inspiration for later work


taproot: something that provides an important central source for growth or development


muse: the source of an artist's inspiration


mother: a condition that is the inspiration for an activity or situation


afflatus: a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration


cogitation: a carefully considered thought about something


concept: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances


conception: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances


construct: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances


conceptualization: an elaborated concept


conceptualisation: an elaborated concept


conceptuality: an elaborated concept


perception: a way of conceiving something


notion: a general inclusive concept


mumpsimus: a traditional notion that is obstinately held although it is unreasonable


preoccupation: an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention


self-absorption: preoccupation with yourself to the exclusion of everything else


layout: a plan or design of something that is laid out


trap: something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares


snare: something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares


iron trap: a trap from which there is no escape


speed trap: a trap arranged on a roadway for catching speeders


idea: a personal view


judgment: an opinion formed by judging something


judgement: an opinion formed by judging something


mind: an opinion formed by judging something


decision: a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration


determination: a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration


conclusion: a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration


predetermination: a mental determination or resolve in advance; an antecedent intention to do something


category: a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme


kind: a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality


sort: a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality


form: a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality


variety: a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality


breed: a special type


pigeonhole: a specific (often simplistic) category


rubric: category name


way: a general category of things; used in the expression `in the way of'


description: sort or variety


type: a subdivision of a particular kind of thing


nature: a particular type of thing


version: something a little different from others of the same type


variant: something a little different from others of the same type


variation: something a little different from others of the same type


edition: something a little different from others of the same type


antitype: an opposite or contrasting type


art form: (architecture) a form of artistic expression (such as writing or painting or architecture)


architectural style: architecture as a kind of art form


style of architecture: architecture as a kind of art form


type of architecture: architecture as a kind of art form


Bauhaus: a German style of architecture begun by Walter Gropius in 1918


Byzantine architecture: the style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire developed after the 5th century; massive domes with square bases and round arches and spires and much use of mosaics


classical architecture: architecture influenced by the ancient Greeks or Romans


Greco-Roman architecture: architecture influenced by the ancient Greeks or Romans


Greek architecture: the architecture of ancient Greece


Roman architecture: the architecture of ancient Rome


Gothic: a style of architecture developed in northern France that spread throughout Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries; characterized by slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by vaulting and pointed arches


Gothic architecture: a style of architecture developed in northern France that spread throughout Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries; characterized by slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by vaulting and pointed arches


Romanesque: a style of architecture developed in Italy and western Europe between the Roman and the Gothic styles after 1000 AD; characterized by round arches and vaults and by the substitution of piers for columns and profuse ornament and arcades


Romanesque architecture: a style of architecture developed in Italy and western Europe between the Roman and the Gothic styles after 1000 AD; characterized by round arches and vaults and by the substitution of piers for columns and profuse ornament and arcades


Norman architecture: a Romanesque style first appearing in Normandy around 950 AD and used in Britain from the Norman Conquest until the 12th century


perpendicular: a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting


perpendicular style: a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting


English-Gothic: a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting


English-Gothic architecture: a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting


Tudor architecture: a style of English-Gothic architecture popular during the Tudor period; characterized by half-timbered houses


Moorish: a style of architecture common in Spain from the 13th to 16th centuries; characterized by horseshoe-shaped arches


Moorish architecture: a style of architecture common in Spain from the 13th to 16th centuries; characterized by horseshoe-shaped arches


Victorian architecture: a style of architecture used in Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria; characterized by massive construction and elaborate ornamentation


style: a particular kind (as to appearance)


flavor: (physics) the six kinds of quarks


flavour: (physics) the six kinds of quarks


charm: (physics) one of the six flavors of quark


strangeness: (physics) one of the six flavors of quark


color: (physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction


colour: (physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction


species: a specific kind of something


genus: a general kind of something


brand: a recognizable kind


make: a recognizable kind


genre: a kind of literary or artistic work


like: a kind of person


ilk: a kind of person


manner: a kind


model: a type of product


stripe: a kind or category


like: a similar kind; ,


the like: a similar kind; ,


the likes of: a similar kind; ,


rule: a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior


regulation: a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior


restriction: a principle that limits the extent of something


limitation: a principle that limits the extent of something


narrowness: a restriction of range or scope


rule: (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems


formula: (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems


metarule: a rule that describes how other rules should be used (as in AI)


algorithm: a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem


algorithmic rule: a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem


algorithmic program: a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem


sorting algorithm: an algorithm for sorting a list


stemmer: an algorithm for removing inflectional and derivational endings in order to reduce word forms to a common stem


stemming algorithm: an algorithm for removing inflectional and derivational endings in order to reduce word forms to a common stem


heuristic: a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem


heuristic rule: a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem


heuristic program: a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem


lateral thinking: a heuristic for solving problems; you try to look at the problem from many angles instead of tackling it head-on


recursion: (mathematics) an expression such that each term is generated by repeating a particular mathematical operation


guidepost: a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior


guideline: a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior


rule of thumb: a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior


cy pres: a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible


rule of cy pres: a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible


cy pres doctrine: a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible


working principle: a rule that is adequate to permit work to be done


working rule: a rule that is adequate to permit work to be done


property: a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished


attribute: a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished


dimension: a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished


quality: a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something


character: a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something


lineament: a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something


texture: the essential quality of something


feature: a prominent attribute or aspect of something


characteristic: a prominent attribute or aspect of something


feature of speech: (linguistics) a distinctive characteristic of a linguistic unit that serves to distinguish it from other units of the same kind


feature: (linguistics) a distinctive characteristic of a linguistic unit that serves to distinguish it from other units of the same kind


invariant: a feature (quantity or property or function) that remains unchanged when a particular transformation is applied to it


aspect: a distinct feature or element in a problem


facet: a distinct feature or element in a problem


attraction: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts


attractor: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts


attracter: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts


attractive feature: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts


magnet: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts


badge: any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a particular power or quality or rank)


centerpiece: the central or most important feature


centrepiece: the central or most important feature


contour: a feature (or the order or arrangement of features) of anything having a complex structure


excellence: an outstanding feature; something in which something or someone excels


excellency: an outstanding feature; something in which something or someone excels


external: outward features


peculiarity: an odd or unusual characteristic


distinctive feature: an odd or unusual characteristic


distinguishing characteristic: an odd or unusual characteristic


calling card: a distinguishing characteristic or behavior


safety feature: feature of an artifact that is added to insure a user's safety


side: an aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect)


downside: a negative aspect of something that is generally positive


hand: one of two sides of an issue


sector: a particular aspect of life or activity


sphere: a particular aspect of life or activity


department: a specialized sphere of knowledge


surface: a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something


attention: a general interest that leads people to want to know more


tourist attraction: a characteristic that attracts tourists


foil: anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities


enhancer: anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities


abstraction: a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance


abstract: a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance


absolute: something that is conceived or that exists independently and not in relation to other things; something that does not depend on anything else and is beyond human control; something that is not relative


teacher: a personified abstraction that teaches


thing: a special abstraction


quantity: the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable


quantum: (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory)


quantum: a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory


term: any distinct quantity contained in a polynomial


numerical quantity: a quantity expressed as a number


zero: the point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured


zero point: the point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured


value: a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed


eigenvalue: (mathematics) any number such that a given square matrix minus that number times the identity matrix has a zero determinant


eigenvalue of a matrix: (mathematics) any number such that a given square matrix minus that number times the identity matrix has a zero determinant


eigenvalue of a square matrix: (mathematics) any number such that a given square matrix minus that number times the identity matrix has a zero determinant


characteristic root of a square matrix: (mathematics) any number such that a given square matrix minus that number times the identity matrix has a zero determinant


scale value: a value on some scale of measurement


average: an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual


vote: the total number of voters who participated


voter turnout: the total number of voters who participated


operand: a quantity upon which a mathematical operation is performed


variable: a quantity that can assume any of a set of values


variable quantity: a quantity that can assume any of a set of values


argument: a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable


arity: the number of arguments that a function can take


independent variable: (statistics) a variable whose values are independent of changes in the values of other variables


experimental variable: (statistics) a variable whose values are independent of changes in the values of other variables


factor: an independent variable in statistics


correlate: either of two or more related or complementary variables


correlative: either of two or more related or complementary variables


degree of freedom: (statistics) an unrestricted variable in a frequency distribution


dependent variable: (statistics) a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value depends on the independent variable


constant: a quantity that does not vary


constant quantity: a quantity that does not vary


invariable: a quantity that does not vary


parameter: a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves


parametric quantity: a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves


parameter: a quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data


degree of freedom: one of the minimum number of parameters needed to describe the state of a physical system


product: a quantity obtained by multiplication


mathematical product: a quantity obtained by multiplication


factorial: the product of all the integers up to and including a given integer


multiple: the product of a quantity by an integer


double: a quantity that is twice as great as another


triple: a quantity that is three times as great as another


quadruple: a quantity that is four times as great as another


lowest common multiple: the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by every member of a set of numbers


least common multiple: the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by every member of a set of numbers


lcm: the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by every member of a set of numbers


grand total: the sum of the sums of several groups of numbers


subtotal: the sum of part of a group of numbers


sum: a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers


amount: a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers


total: a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers


degree: the highest power of a term or variable


degree of a term: the sum of the exponents of the variables in the term


degree of a polynomial: the degree of the term in the polynomial that has the highest degree


first degree: a degree of one


polynomial: a mathematical function that is the sum of a number of terms


multinomial: a mathematical function that is the sum of a number of terms


biquadratic: a polynomial of the fourth degree


biquadratic polynomial: a polynomial of the fourth degree


quartic polynomial: a polynomial of the fourth degree


homogeneous polynomial: a polynomial consisting of terms all of the same degree


monic polynomial: a polynomial in one variable


quadratic: a polynomial of the second degree


quadratic polynomial: a polynomial of the second degree


quantic: a homogeneous polynomial having at least two variables


series: (mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions


power series: the sum of terms containing successively higher integral powers of a variable


convergence: the approach of an infinite series to a finite limit


convergency: the approach of an infinite series to a finite limit


divergence: an infinite series that has no limit


divergency: an infinite series that has no limit


geometric series: a geometric progression written as a sum


Fourier series: the sum of a series of trigonometric expressions; used in the analysis of periodic functions


predictor variable: a variable that can be used to predict the value of another variable (as in statistical regression)


proportional: one of the quantities in a mathematical proportion


infinitesimal: (mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit


random variable: a variable quantity that is random


variate: a variable quantity that is random


variant: a variable quantity that is random


stochastic variable: a variable quantity that is random


chance variable: a variable quantity that is random


scalar: a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components


tensor: a generalization of the concept of a vector


vector: a variable quantity that can be resolved into components


vector product: a vector that is the product of two other vectors


cross product: a vector that is the product of two other vectors


scalar product: a real number (a scalar) that is the product of two vectors


inner product: a real number (a scalar) that is the product of two vectors


dot product: a real number (a scalar) that is the product of two vectors


vector sum: a vector that is the sum of two or more other vectors


resultant: a vector that is the sum of two or more other vectors


radius vector: a line connecting a point in space to the origin of a polar coordinate system


radius vector: a line connecting a satellite to the center of the body around which it is rotating


be-all and end-all: the essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim


be all and end all: the essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim


plot element: a component or element of the plot of a story


McGuffin: (film) a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot


MacGuffin: (film) a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot


point: a geometric element that has position but no extension


attractor: (physics) a point in the ideal multidimensional phase space that is used to describe a system toward which the system tends to evolve regardless of the starting conditions of the system


attracter: (physics) a point in the ideal multidimensional phase space that is used to describe a system toward which the system tends to evolve regardless of the starting conditions of the system


strange attractor: an attractor for which the approach to its final point in phase space is chaotic


chaotic attractor: an attractor for which the approach to its final point in phase space is chaotic


intersection: a point where lines intersect


intersection point: a point where lines intersect


point of intersection: a point where lines intersect


metacenter: (shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side; the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the stability of the ship


metacentre: (shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side; the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the stability of the ship


vertex: the point of intersection of lines or the point opposite the base of a figure


part: one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole


section: one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole


division: one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole


beginning: the first part or section of something


middle: an intermediate part or section; - Aristotle


end: a final part or section


high point: the most enjoyable part of a given experience


component: an abstract part of something


constituent: an abstract part of something


element: an abstract part of something


factor: an abstract part of something


ingredient: an abstract part of something


leaven: an influence that works subtly to lighten or modify something


leavening: an influence that works subtly to lighten or modify something


whole: all of something including all its component elements or parts


unit: a single undivided whole


one: a single person or thing


compound: a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts


complex: a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts


composite: a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts


hybrid: a composite of mixed origin


syndrome: a complex of concurrent things


law: a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society


natural law: a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society


divine law: a law that is believed to come directly from God


dictate: a guiding principle


fundamentals: principles from which other truths can be derived


basics: principles from which other truths can be derived


fundamental principle: principles from which other truths can be derived


basic principle: principles from which other truths can be derived


bedrock: principles from which other truths can be derived


logic: the principles that guide reasoning within a given field or situation


pleasure principle: (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the id; the principle that an infant seeks gratification and fails to distinguish fantasy from reality


pleasure-pain principle: (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the id; the principle that an infant seeks gratification and fails to distinguish fantasy from reality


pleasure-unpleasure principle: (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the id; the principle that an infant seeks gratification and fails to distinguish fantasy from reality


reality principle: (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the ego; the principle that as a child grows it becomes aware of the real environment and the need to accommodate to it


insurrectionism: the principle of revolt against constituted authority


principle: a basic truth or law or assumption


rudiment: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


first rudiment: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


first principle: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


alphabet: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


ABC: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


ABC's: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


ABCs: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)


law: a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature


law of nature: a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature


lexicalized concept: a concept that is expressed by a word (in some particular language)


all-or-none law: (neurophysiology) a nerve impulse resulting from a weak stimulus is just as strong as a nerve impulse resulting from a strong stimulus


principle: a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system


rule: a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system


Archimedes' principle: (hydrostatics) the apparent loss in weight of a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid


law of Archimedes: (hydrostatics) the apparent loss in weight of a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid


Avogadro's law: the principle that equal volumes of all gases (given the same temperature and pressure) contain equal numbers of molecules


Avogadro's hypothesis: the principle that equal volumes of all gases (given the same temperature and pressure) contain equal numbers of molecules


Bernoulli's law: (statistics) law stating that a large number of items taken at random from a population will (on the average) have the population statistics


law of large numbers: (statistics) law stating that a large number of items taken at random from a population will (on the average) have the population statistics


Benford's law: a law used by auditors to identify fictitious populations of numbers; applies to any population of numbers derived from other numbers


Bose-Einstein statistics: (physics) statistical law obeyed by a system of particles whose wave function is not changed when two particles are interchanged (the Pauli exclusion principle does not apply)


Boyle's law: the pressure of an ideal gas at constant temperature varies inversely with the volume


Mariotte's law: the pressure of an ideal gas at constant temperature varies inversely with the volume


Coulomb's Law: a fundamental principle of electrostatics; the force of attraction or repulsion between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the distance between them; principle also holds for magnetic poles


Dalton's law: (chemistry and physics) law stating that the pressure exerted by a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of the gases in the mixture; the pressure of a gas in a mixture equals the pressure it would exert if it occupied the same volume alone at the same temperature


Dalton's law of partial pressures: (chemistry and physics) law stating that the pressure exerted by a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of the gases in the mixture; the pressure of a gas in a mixture equals the pressure it would exert if it occupied the same volume alone at the same temperature


law of partial pressures: (chemistry and physics) law stating that the pressure exerted by a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of the gases in the mixture; the pressure of a gas in a mixture equals the pressure it would exert if it occupied the same volume alone at the same temperature


distribution law: (chemistry) the total energy in an assembly of molecules is not distributed equally but is distributed around an average value according to a statistical distribution


Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law: (physics) a law expressing the distribution of energy among the molecules of a gas in thermal equilibrium


Boltzmann distribution law: (physics) a law expressing the distribution of energy among the molecules of a gas in thermal equilibrium


equilibrium law: (chemistry) the principle that (at chemical equilibrium) in a reversible reaction the ratio of the rate of the forward reaction to the rate of the reverse reaction is a constant for that reaction


law of chemical equilibrium: (chemistry) the principle that (at chemical equilibrium) in a reversible reaction the ratio of the rate of the forward reaction to the rate of the reverse reaction is a constant for that reaction


Fechner's law: (psychophysics) the concept that the magnitude of a subjective sensation increases proportional to the logarithm of the stimulus intensity; based on early work by E. H. Weber


Weber-Fechner law: (psychophysics) the concept that the magnitude of a subjective sensation increases proportional to the logarithm of the stimulus intensity; based on early work by E. H. Weber


Fermi-Dirac statistics: (physics) law obeyed by a systems of particles whose wave function changes when two particles are interchanged (the Pauli exclusion principle applies)


Gay-Lussac's law: (physics) the density of an ideal gas at constant pressure varies inversely with the temperature


Charles's law: (physics) the density of an ideal gas at constant pressure varies inversely with the temperature


law of volumes: (physics) the density of an ideal gas at constant pressure varies inversely with the temperature


Gestalt law of organization: a principle of Gestalt psychology that identifies factors leading to particular forms of perceptual organization


Gestalt principle of organization: a principle of Gestalt psychology that identifies factors leading to particular forms of perceptual organization


Henry's law: (chemistry) law formulated by the English chemist William Henry; the amount of a gas that will be absorbed by water increases as the gas pressure increases


Hooke's law: (physics) the principle that (within the elastic limit) the stress applied to a solid is proportional to the strain produced


Hubble's law: (astronomy) the generalization that the speed of recession of distant galaxies (the red shift) is proportional to their distance from the observer


Hubble law: (astronomy) the generalization that the speed of recession of distant galaxies (the red shift) is proportional to their distance from the observer


Kepler's law: (astronomy) one of three empirical laws of planetary motion stated by Johannes Kepler


Kepler's law of planetary motion: (astronomy) one of three empirical laws of planetary motion stated by Johannes Kepler


Kepler's first law: a law stating that the orbit of each planet is an ellipse with the sun at one focus of the ellipse


Kepler's second law: a law concerning the speed at which planets travel; a line connecting a planet to the sun will sweep out equal areas in equal times


law of areas: a law concerning the speed at which planets travel; a line connecting a planet to the sun will sweep out equal areas in equal times


law of equal areas: a law concerning the speed at which planets travel; a line connecting a planet to the sun will sweep out equal areas in equal times


Kepler's third law: a law stating that the ratio of the square of the revolutionary period (in years) to the cube of the orbital axis (in astronomical units) is the same for all planets


harmonic law: a law stating that the ratio of the square of the revolutionary period (in years) to the cube of the orbital axis (in astronomical units) is the same for all planets


Kirchhoff's laws: (physics) two laws governing electric networks in which steady currents flow: the sum of all the currents at a point is zero and the sum of the voltage gains and drops around any closed circuit is zero


law of averages: a law affirming that in the long run probabilities will determine performance


law of constant proportion: (chemistry) law stating that every pure substance always contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by weight


law of definite proportions: (chemistry) law stating that every pure substance always contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by weight


law of diminishing returns: a law affirming that to continue after a certain level of performance has been reached will result in a decline in effectiveness


law of effect: (psychology) the principle that behaviors are selected by their consequences; behavior having good consequences tends to be repeated whereas behavior that leads to bad consequences is not repeated


law of equivalent proportions: (chemistry) law stating that the proportions in which two elements separately combine with a third element are also the proportions in which they combine together


law of reciprocal proportions: (chemistry) law stating that the proportions in which two elements separately combine with a third element are also the proportions in which they combine together


law of gravitation: (physics) the law that states any two bodies attract each other with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them


Newton's law of gravitation: (physics) the law that states any two bodies attract each other with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them


law of multiple proportions: (chemistry) law stating that when two elements can combine to form more than one compound the amounts of one of them that combines with a fixed amount of the other will exhibit a simple multiple relation


Dalton's law: (chemistry) law stating that when two elements can combine to form more than one compound the amounts of one of them that combines with a fixed amount of the other will exhibit a simple multiple relation


law of mass action: (chemistry) the law that states the following principle: the rate of a chemical reaction is directly proportional to the molecular concentrations of the reacting substances


law of thermodynamics: (physics) a law governing the relations between states of energy in a closed system


second law of thermodynamics: a law stating that mechanical work can be derived from a body only when that body interacts with another at a lower temperature; any spontaneous process results in an increase of entropy


third law of thermodynamics: law stating that the entropy of a substance approaches zero as its temperature approaches absolute zero


zeroth law of thermodynamics: the law that if two bodies are in thermal equilibrium with a third body then the first two bodies are in thermal equilibrium with each other


Le Chatelier's principle: the principle that if any change is imposed on a system that is in equilibrium then the system tends to adjust to a new equilibrium counteracting the change


Le Chatelier's law: the principle that if any change is imposed on a system that is in equilibrium then the system tends to adjust to a new equilibrium counteracting the change


Le Chatelier principle: the principle that if any change is imposed on a system that is in equilibrium then the system tends to adjust to a new equilibrium counteracting the change


Le Chatelier-Braun principle: the principle that if any change is imposed on a system that is in equilibrium then the system tends to adjust to a new equilibrium counteracting the change


Gresham's Law: (economics) the principle that when two kinds of money having the same denominational value are in circulation the intrinsically more valuable money will be hoarded and the money of lower intrinsic value will circulate more freely until the intrinsically more valuable money is driven out of circulation; bad money drives out good; credited to Sir Thomas Gresham


Mendel's law: (genetics) one of two principles of heredity formulated by Gregor Mendel on the basis of his experiments with plants; the principles were limited and modified by subsequent genetic research


law of segregation: members of a pair of homologous chromosomes separate during the formation of gametes and are distributed to different gametes so that every gamete receives only one member of the pair


law of independent assortment: each member of a pair of homologous chromosomes separates independently of the members of other pairs so the results are random


mass-energy equivalence: (physics) the principle that a measured quantity of mass is equivalent (according to relativity theory) to a measured quantity of energy


Naegele's rule: rule for calculating an expected delivery date; subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period and add seven days to that date


Newton's law of motion: one of three basic laws of classical mechanics


Newton's law: one of three basic laws of classical mechanics


law of motion: one of three basic laws of classical mechanics


first law of motion: a body remains at rest or in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force


Newton's first law of motion: a body remains at rest or in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force


Newton's first law: a body remains at rest or in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force


second law of motion: the rate of change of momentum is proportional to the imposed force and goes in the direction of the force


Newton's second law of motion: the rate of change of momentum is proportional to the imposed force and goes in the direction of the force


Newton's second law: the rate of change of momentum is proportional to the imposed force and goes in the direction of the force


third law of motion: action and reaction are equal and opposite


Newton's third law of motion: action and reaction are equal and opposite


Newton's third law: action and reaction are equal and opposite


law of action and reaction: action and reaction are equal and opposite


Ohm's law: electric current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance; I = E/R


Pascal's law: pressure applied anywhere to a body of fluid causes a force to be transmitted equally in all directions; the force acts at right angles to any surface in contact with the fluid


Pascal's law of fluid pressures: pressure applied anywhere to a body of fluid causes a force to be transmitted equally in all directions; the force acts at right angles to any surface in contact with the fluid


Pauli exclusion principle: no two electrons or protons or neutrons in a given system can be in states characterized by the same set of quantum numbers


exclusion principle: no two electrons or protons or neutrons in a given system can be in states characterized by the same set of quantum numbers


periodic law: (chemistry) the principle that chemical properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers


Mendeleev's law: (chemistry) the principle that chemical properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers


Planck's law: (physics) the basis of quantum theory; the energy of electromagnetic waves is contained in indivisible quanta that have to be radiated or absorbed as a whole; the magnitude is proportional to frequency where the constant of proportionality is given by Planck's constant


Planck's radiation law: (physics) an equation that expresses the distribution of energy in the radiated spectrum of an ideal black body


big-bang theory: (cosmology) the theory that the universe originated sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from the cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at extremely high density and temperature


big bang theory: (cosmology) the theory that the universe originated sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from the cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at extremely high density and temperature


nebular hypothesis: (cosmology) the theory that the solar system evolved from a hot gaseous nebula


planetesimal hypothesis: (cosmology) the theory that the solar system was formed by the gravitational accumulation of planetesimals


steady state theory: (cosmology) the theory that the universe maintains a constant average density with matter created to fill the void left by galaxies that are receding from each other


continuous creation theory: (cosmology) the theory that the universe maintains a constant average density with matter created to fill the void left by galaxies that are receding from each other


hypothesis: a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena


possibility: a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena


theory: a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena


hypothetical: a hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement, proposal, situation, etc.


gemmule: the physically discrete element that Darwin proposed as responsible for heredity


fact: a concept whose truth can be proved


mean sun: a theoretical sun that moves along the celestial equator at a constant speed and completes its annual course in the same amount of time the real sun takes at variable speeds


model: a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process


theoretical account: a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process


framework: a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process


Copernican system: (astronomy) Copernicus' astronomical model in which the Earth rotates around the sun


Ptolemaic system: (astronomy) Ptolemy's model of the universe with the Earth at the center


M-theory: (particle physics) a theory that involves an eleven-dimensional universe in which the weak and strong forces and gravity are unified and to which all the string theories belong


string theory: (particle physics) a theory that postulates that subatomic particles are one-dimensional strings


audit program: a listing of audit procedures to be performed in completing an audit


audit programme: a listing of audit procedures to be performed in completing an audit


outline: a schematic or preliminary plan


schema: a schematic or preliminary plan


scheme: a schematic or preliminary plan


speculation: a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)


conjecture: a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)


assumption: a hypothesis that is taken for granted


supposition: a hypothesis that is taken for granted


supposal: a hypothesis that is taken for granted


prerequisite: something that is required in advance


requirement: something that is required in advance


requirement: required activity


demand: required activity


precondition: a condition that is a prerequisite


academic requirement: a requirement for admission to or completion of an academic program


language requirement: a requirement that a student know certain languages


essential condition: a prerequisite


sine qua non: a prerequisite


given: an assumption that is taken for granted


presumption: an assumption that is taken for granted


precondition: an assumption that is taken for granted


basic assumption: an assumption that is basic to an argument


constatation: an assumption that is basic to an argument


self-evident truth: an assumption that is basic to an argument


misconception: an incorrect conception


fallacy: a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning


false belief: a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning


logical fallacy: a fallacy in logical argumentation


hysteron proteron: the logical fallacy of using as a true premise a proposition that is yet to be proved


ignoratio elenchi: the logical fallacy of supposing that an argument proving an irrelevant point has proved the point at issue


pathetic fallacy: the fallacy of attributing human feelings to inanimate objects; `the friendly sun' is an example of the pathetic fallacy


petitio principii: the logical fallacy of assuming the conclusion in the premises; begging the question


petitio: the logical fallacy of assuming the conclusion in the premises; begging the question


post hoc: the logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation


post hoc ergo propter hoc: the logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation


sophism: a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone


sophistry: a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone


sophistication: a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone


paralogism: an unintentionally invalid argument


error: a misconception resulting from incorrect information


erroneous belief: a misconception resulting from incorrect information


self-deception: a misconception that is favorable to the person who holds it


self-deceit: a misconception that is favorable to the person who holds it


mistake: an understanding of something that is not correct


misunderstanding: an understanding of something that is not correct


misapprehension: an understanding of something that is not correct


illusion: something many people believe that is false


fantasy: something many people believe that is false


phantasy: something many people believe that is false


fancy: something many people believe that is false


bubble: an impracticable and illusory idea


will-o'-the-wisp: an illusion that misleads


ignis fatuus: an illusion that misleads


wishful thinking: the illusion that what you wish for is actually true


delusion: a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea


hallucination: a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea


autism: (psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people


infantile autism: a rare but serious syndrome of childhood characterized by withdrawal and lack of social responsiveness or interest in others and serious linguistic deficits


apparition: something existing in perception only


phantom: something existing in perception only


phantasm: something existing in perception only


phantasma: something existing in perception only


fantasm: something existing in perception only


shadow: something existing in perception only


unidentified flying object: an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins


UFO: an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins


flying saucer: an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins


Flying Dutchman: a phantom ship that is said to appear in storms near the Cape of Good Hope


ghost: a mental representation of some haunting experience


shade: a mental representation of some haunting experience


spook: a mental representation of some haunting experience


wraith: a mental representation of some haunting experience


specter: a mental representation of some haunting experience


spectre: a mental representation of some haunting experience


disorientation: a wild delusion (especially one induced by a hallucinogenic drug)


freak out: a wild delusion (especially one induced by a hallucinogenic drug)


plan: a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished


program: a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished


programme: a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished


program: a system of projects or services intended to meet a public need


programme: a system of projects or services intended to meet a public need


master plan: a long-term outline of a project or government function


Apollo program: a program of space flights undertaken by US to land a man on the Moon


Gemini program: a program of space flights undertaken by US in 1965 and 1966


Mercury program: a program of rocket-powered flights undertaken by US between 1961 and 1963 with the goal of putting a man in orbit around the earth


defense program: a program for defending a country against its enemies


defense policy: a program for defending a country against its enemies


defence program: a program for defending a country against its enemies


defence policy: a program for defending a country against its enemies


educational program: a program for providing education


rehabilitation program: a program for restoring someone to good health


space program: a technological program intended to explore outer space


Superfund program: the federal government's program to locate and investigate and clean up the worst uncontrolled and abandoned toxic waste sites nationwide; administered by the Environmental Protection Agency


Superfund: the federal government's program to locate and investigate and clean up the worst uncontrolled and abandoned toxic waste sites nationwide; administered by the Environmental Protection Agency


vocational rehabilitation program: a program of rehabilitation through job training with an eye to gainful employment


tax program: a program for setting taxes


tax policy: a program for setting taxes


policy: a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group


activism: a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal


beggar-my-neighbor policy: a policy of promoting oneself at the expense of others; used especially of national policy


beggar-my-neighbour policy: a policy of promoting oneself at the expense of others; used especially of national policy


beggar-my-neighbor strategy: a policy of promoting oneself at the expense of others; used especially of national policy


beggar-my-neighbour strategy: a policy of promoting oneself at the expense of others; used especially of national policy


blueprint: something intended as a guide for making something else


design: something intended as a guide for making something else


pattern: something intended as a guide for making something else


plan of action: a plan for actively doing something


battle plan: plan for conducting a battle


system: a procedure or process for obtaining an objective


credit system: a system for allowing people to purchase things on credit


legal system: a system for interpreting and enforcing the laws


bail: the legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody (usually on condition that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial)


jury system: a legal system for determining the facts at issue in a law suit


patent system: a legal system for protecting the rights of inventors


tax system: a legal system for assessing and collecting taxes


voting system: a legal system for making democratic choices


electoral system: a legal system for making democratic choices


uninominal system: based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district


uninominal voting system: based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district


single-member system: based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district


scrutin uninomial system: based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district


scrutin uninominal voting system: based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district


list system: based on the principle of proportional representation; voters choose between party lists, the number elected from each list being determined by the percentage cast for each list out of the total vote


scrutin de liste: based on the principle of proportional representation; voters choose between party lists, the number elected from each list being determined by the percentage cast for each list out of the total vote


scrutin de liste system: based on the principle of proportional representation; voters choose between party lists, the number elected from each list being determined by the percentage cast for each list out of the total vote


pricing system: a system for setting prices on goods or services


promotion system: a system for advancing participants to higher-status positions


tactic: a plan for attaining a particular goal


tactics: a plan for attaining a particular goal


maneuver: a plan for attaining a particular goal


manoeuvre: a plan for attaining a particular goal


scheme: an elaborate and systematic plan of action


strategy: an elaborate and systematic plan of action


travel plan: a proposed route of travel


itinerary: a proposed route of travel


contrivance: an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade


stratagem: an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade


dodge: an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade


plant: something planted secretly for discovery by another


pump-and-dump scheme: an illegal scheme for making money by manipulating stock prices; the schemer persuades other people to buy the stock and then sells it himself as soon as the price of the stock rises


wangle: an instance of accomplishing something by scheming or trickery


wangling: an instance of accomplishing something by scheming or trickery


counterterrorism: a strategy intended to prevent or counter terrorism


game plan: (sports) a plan for achieving an objective in some sport


game plan: (figurative) a carefully thought out strategy for achieving an objective in war or politics or business or personal affairs


house of cards: a speculative scheme that depends on unstable factors that the planner cannot control


bubble: a speculative scheme that depends on unstable factors that the planner cannot control


playbook: a scheme or set of strategies for conducting a business campaign or a political campaign


plot: a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)


secret plan: a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)


game: a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)


pyramid scheme: a fraudulent scheme in which people are recruited to make payments to the person who recruited them while expecting to receive payments from the persons they recruit; when the number of new recruits fails to sustain the hierarchical payment structure the scheme collapses with most of the participants losing the money they put in


counterplot: a plot intended to subvert another plot


counterplan: a plot intended to subvert another plot


intrigue: a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends


machination: a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends


priestcraft: a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence to control secular or political affairs


conspiracy: a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)


cabal: a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)


Gunpowder Plot: a conspiracy in 1605 in England to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament to avenge the persecution of Catholics in England; led by Guy Fawkes


waiting game: a strategy of delay


wheeze: (Briticism) a clever or amusing scheme or trick


regimen: (medicine) a systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)


regime: (medicine) a systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)


academic program: (education) a program of education in liberal arts and sciences (usually in preparation for higher education)


training program: a program designed for training in specific skills


biofeedback: a training program in which a person is given information about physiological processes (heart rate or blood pressure) that is not normally available with the goal of gaining conscious control of them


preemployment training program: a training program to prepare you for employment


project: a planned undertaking


projection: a planned undertaking


moneymaker: a project that generates a continuous flow of money


money-spinner: a project that generates a continuous flow of money


cash cow: a project that generates a continuous flow of money


vocational program: a program of vocational education


works program: a program to provide jobs on public works paid for by government funds


agenda: a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to


docket: a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to


schedule: a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to


menu: an agenda of things to do


fare: an agenda of things to do


pension plan: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


pension account: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


retirement plan: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


retirement savings plan: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


retirement savings account: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


retirement account: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


retirement program: a plan for setting aside money to be spent after retirement


401-k plan: a retirement savings plan that is funded by employee contributions and (often) matching contributions from the employer; contributions are made from your salary before taxes and the funds grow tax-free until they are withdrawn, at which point they can be converted into an IRA; funds can be transferred if you change employers and you can (to some extent) manage the investments yourself


401-k: a retirement savings plan that is funded by employee contributions and (often) matching contributions from the employer; contributions are made from your salary before taxes and the funds grow tax-free until they are withdrawn, at which point they can be converted into an IRA; funds can be transferred if you change employers and you can (to some extent) manage the investments yourself


individual retirement account: a retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement; taxes on the interest earned in the account are deferred


IRA: a retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement; taxes on the interest earned in the account are deferred


Keogh plan: a tax-deferred pension plan for employees of unincorporated businesses or for self-employed persons


employee savings plan: a plan that allows employees to contribute to an investment pool managed the employer


road map: a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action


guideline: a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action


stock purchase plan: an organized plan for employees of a company to buy shares of its stock


employee stock ownership plan: a program under which employees regularly accumulate shares and may ultimately assume control of the company


ESOP: a program under which employees regularly accumulate shares and may ultimately assume control of the company


figment: a contrived or fantastic idea


generalization: an idea or conclusion having general application


generalisation: an idea or conclusion having general application


generality: an idea or conclusion having general application


principle: a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct


rule: a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct


pillar: a fundamental principle or practice


pillar of Islam: (Islam) one of the five religious obligations accepted by all Muslims


shahadah: the first pillar of Islam is an affirmation of faith


salat: the second pillar of Islam is prayer; a prescribed liturgy performed five times a day (preferably in a mosque) and oriented toward Mecca


salaat: the second pillar of Islam is prayer; a prescribed liturgy performed five times a day (preferably in a mosque) and oriented toward Mecca


salah: the second pillar of Islam is prayer; a prescribed liturgy performed five times a day (preferably in a mosque) and oriented toward Mecca


salaah: the second pillar of Islam is prayer; a prescribed liturgy performed five times a day (preferably in a mosque) and oriented toward Mecca


sawm: the third pillar of Islam is fasting (primarily during the month of Ramadan); Muslims abstain from food and drink and gambling and all sensuous pleasures from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan


zakat: the fourth pillar of Islam is almsgiving as an act of worship


hajj: the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijja; at least once in a lifetime a Muslim is expected to make a religious journey to Mecca and the Kaaba


haj: the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijja; at least once in a lifetime a Muslim is expected to make a religious journey to Mecca and the Kaaba


hadj: the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijja; at least once in a lifetime a Muslim is expected to make a religious journey to Mecca and the Kaaba


yang: the bright positive masculine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology


yin: the dark negative feminine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology


feng shui: rules in Chinese philosophy that govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy (qi); the favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into consideration in designing and siting buildings and graves and furniture


suggestion: an idea that is suggested


inkling: a slight suggestion or vague understanding


intimation: a slight suggestion or vague understanding


glimmering: a slight suggestion or vague understanding


glimmer: a slight suggestion or vague understanding


posthypnotic suggestion: a suggestion that is made to a person who is hypnotized that specifies an action he will perform (usually in response to a cue) after he has awakened


impression: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed


feeling: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed


belief: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed


notion: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed


opinion: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed


presence: the impression that something is present


reaction: an idea evoked by some experience


effect: an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)


first blush: at the first glimpse or impression


sound effect: an effect that imitates a sound called for in the script of a play


special effect: an effect used to produce scenes that cannot be achieved by normal techniques (especially on film)


stage effect: a special effect created on the stage


theorem: an idea accepted as a demonstrable truth


Bayes' theorem: (statistics) a theorem describing how the conditional probability of a set of possible causes for a given observed event can be computed from knowledge of the probability of each cause and the conditional probability of the outcome of each cause


Bayes' postulate: (statistics) the difficulty of applying Bayes' theorem is that the probabilities of the different causes are seldom known, in which case it may be postulated that they are all equal (sometimes known as postulating the equidistribution of ignorance)


intuition: an impression that something might be the case


hunch: an impression that something might be the case


suspicion: an impression that something might be the case


heart: the locus of feelings and intuitions


bosom: the locus of feelings and intuitions


prescience: the power to foresee the future


prevision: the power to foresee the future


notion: an odd or fanciful or capricious idea


whim: an odd or fanciful or capricious idea


whimsy: an odd or fanciful or capricious idea


whimsey: an odd or fanciful or capricious idea


meaning: the idea that is intended


substance: the idea that is intended


burden: the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse


theme: a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work


motif: a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work


topos: a traditional theme or motif or literary convention


semantics: the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text


significance: a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred


import: a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred


implication: a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred


kernel: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


substance: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


core: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


center: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


centre: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


essence: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


gist: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


heart: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


heart and soul: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


inwardness: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


marrow: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


meat: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


nub: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


pith: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


sum: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


nitty-gritty: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


bare bones: (plural) the most basic facts or elements


hypostasis: (metaphysics) essential nature or underlying reality


quiddity: the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other


haecceity: the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other


quintessence: the purest and most concentrated essence of something


stuff: a critically important or characteristic component


tenor: the general meaning or substance of an utterance


strain: the general meaning or substance of an utterance


drift: the pervading meaning or tenor


purport: the pervading meaning or tenor


undertone: a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning


undercurrent: a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning


reference: the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to


denotation: the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to


extension: the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to


reference: the relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to


connotation: an idea that is implied or suggested


ideal: the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain


value: an ideal accepted by some individual or group


introject: (psychoanalysis) parental figures (and their values) that you introjected as a child; the voice of conscience is usually a parent's voice internalized


idealization: something that exists only as an idea


idealisation: something that exists only as an idea


paragon: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept


idol: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept


perfection: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept


beau ideal: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept


gold standard: a paragon of excellence


criterion: the ideal in terms of which something can be judged


standard: the ideal in terms of which something can be judged


design criteria: criteria that designers should meet in designing some system or device


exemplar: something to be imitated


example: something to be imitated


model: something to be imitated


good example: something to be imitated


beauty: an outstanding example of its kind


beaut: an outstanding example of its kind


ego ideal: (psychoanalysis) the part of the ego that contains an ideal of personal excellence toward which a person strives


keynote: a fundamental or central idea


kink: an eccentric idea


wisdom: accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment


reconditeness: wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound


abstruseness: wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound


abstrusity: wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound


profoundness: wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound


profundity: wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound


representation: a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image


mental representation: a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image


internal representation: a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image


instantiation: a representation of an idea in the form of an instance of it


antitype: a person or thing represented or foreshadowed by a type or symbol; especially a figure in the Old Testament having a counterpart in the New Testament


stereotype: a conventional or formulaic conception or image


schema: an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world


scheme: an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world


image: an iconic mental representation


mental image: an iconic mental representation


imagination image: a mental image produced by the imagination


thought-image: a mental image produced by the imagination


interpretation: a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something


reading: a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something


version: a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something


reinterpretation: a new or different meaning


phantasmagoria: a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream)


character: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play


role: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play


theatrical role: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play


part: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play


persona: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play


bit part: a small role


minor role: a small role


soubrette: a minor female role as a pert flirtatious lady's maid in a comedy


heavy: a serious (or tragic) role in a play


hero: the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem


ingenue: the role of an innocent artless young woman in a play


title role: the role of the character after whom the play is named


name part: the role of the character after whom the play is named


psychosexuality: the mental representation of sexual activities


percept: the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept


perception: the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept


perceptual experience: the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept


figure: a unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground


ground: a relatively homogeneous percept extending back of the figure on which attention is focused


form: a perceptual structure


shape: a perceptual structure


pattern: a perceptual structure


fractal: (mathematics) a geometric pattern that is repeated at every scale and so cannot be represented by classical geometry


gestalt: a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts


grid: a pattern of regularly spaced horizontal and vertical lines


Amsler grid: a pattern of small boxes that is used for self-monitoring by patients who have age-related macular degeneration


kaleidoscope: a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes


mosaic: a pattern resembling a mosaic


strand: a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole


sonata form: a musical form having 3 sections -- exposition and development and recapitulation; characteristic of 1st movement of a sonata or symphony


visual percept: a percept that arises from the eyes; an image in the visual system


visual image: a percept that arises from the eyes; an image in the visual system


eye candy: visual images that are pleasing to see but are intellectually undemanding


field: the area that is visible (as through an optical instrument)


field of view: the area that is visible (as through an optical instrument)


sight: an instance of visual perception


view: the visual percept of a region


aspect: the visual percept of a region


prospect: the visual percept of a region


scene: the visual percept of a region


vista: the visual percept of a region


panorama: the visual percept of a region


visual field: all of the points of the physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye at a given moment


field of vision: all of the points of the physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye at a given moment


field of regard: all of the points of the physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye at a given moment


background: the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground


ground: the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground


coast: the area within view


exposure: aspect resulting from the direction a building or window faces


foreground: the part of a scene that is near the viewer


glimpse: a brief or incomplete view


middle distance: the part of a scene between the foreground and the background