hypothesis
/haɪˈpɔθəsɪs; haɪ`pɑθəsɪs/ n
(pl -ses / -si:z; -ˌsiz/) idea or suggestion that is based on known facts and is used as a basis for reasoning or further investigation （根据已知事实提出并有待於进一步论证或研究的）假说, 假设
put sth forward as a hypothesis 提出一种假说
prove/disprove a hypothesis 证明某种假设正确[不正确].