To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements. To reach a logical conclusion based on available information.
From Latin 'inferre' meaning 'to bring in' or 'to carry forward,' from 'in-' (into) + 'ferre' (to carry). The sense of drawing conclusions developed because you 'carry' evidence 'into' your reasoning process to reach a conclusion.
Don't confuse 'infer' with 'imply'! The speaker implies (hints at something), but the listener infers (figures it out). Think 'IN-fer' as bringing evidence IN to your mind to figure something out, like a detective gathering clues.
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