[ˈθɪəri], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained
(e.g: Darwin's theory of evolution)


Phrases:
- in theory

Origin:
late 16th century (denoting a mental scheme of something to be done): via late Latin from Greek theōria ‘contemplation, speculation’, from theōros ‘spectator’