THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY
extrapolate
verb
To estimate beyond known observations by extending a pattern or relationship.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
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Examples in context
The analyst was cautious about trying to extrapolate from such a short record.
A library group considered a hypothetical plan to extend a small reading event into a full weekend program. Their attendance forecast was conjectural because it rested on only two earlier evenings and several untested assumptions about interest. One member wanted to extrapolate a weekend total from the average turnout at those evenings.
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Related meanings
Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.
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The extrapolate family
These forms are closely related, but their grammar and use are not identical. Expand a form to compare its meaning and examples.
extrapolationnoun
An inference or projection extending beyond known information.
The forecast was an extrapolation from a limited set of observations.
She warned that the extrapolation depended on assumptions that might change.
About this entry
This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.
Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.
Source study sections: E, 3, 15, 18.
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