3 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Inference \In"fer*ence\, n. [From {Infer}.]
1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.
Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions,
it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of
inference. --Glanvill.
2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from
another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a
conclusion; a deduction. --Milton.
These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of
reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all
together, are called syllogism, or argument. --I.
Watts.
Syn: Conclusion; deduction; consequence.
Usage: {Inference}, {Conclusion}. An inference is literally
that which is brought in and hence a deduction or
induction from premises, -- something which follows as
certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger
than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and
terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or
probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of
reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the
ultimate conclusion. ``An inference is a proposition
which is perceived to be true, because of its
connection with some known fact.'' ``When something is
simply affirmed to be true, it is called a
proposition; after it has been found to be true by
several reasons or arguments, it is called a
conclusion.'' --I. Taylor.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
inference
n : the reasoning involved in making a logical judgment on the
basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions
rather than on the basis of direct observation [syn: {illation}]
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]:
inference
The logical process by which new facts are derived
from known facts by the application of {inference rule}s.
See also {symbolic inference}, {type inference}.
(1995-03-20)
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