a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena (noun.cognition)
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumsta more..a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena(noun.cognition)