/ɪnˈfɜː/, /ɪnˈfɝ/, /ɪnˈfɛr/
OriginFrom Latin inferō, from Latin in- (“in, at, on; into”) + Latin ferō (“bear, carry; suffer”) (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from Proto-Italic *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (“to bear, carry”), from the root *bʰer-. Literally “carry forward”, equivalent to “bear in”, as in concluding from a premise. Doublet of inbear.
- transitiveTo introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
“It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.”
- often, proscribed, transitiveTo lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
“a. 1535, Thomas More, letter to Fryth
the fyrste parte is not the proofe of the second. but rather contrarywyse the seconde inferreth well yͤ fyrst.”
“This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.”
“These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre [translating sonnent] some thing beyond patient expecting of death it selfe to be suffered in this life[…].”
- obsoleteTo cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone.
“faire Serena[…]fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd[…].”
- obsoleteTo introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce.
“Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.”
Formsinfers(present, singular, third-person) · inferring(participle, present) · inferred(participle, past) · inferred(past)