Adjacent Words

extrapolate definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: draw from specific cases for more general cases [syn: generalize, generalise, extrapolate, infer]
2: estimate the value of [syn: interpolate, extrapolate]
3: gain knowledge of (an area not known or experienced) by extrapolating

Merriam Webster's

verb (-lated; -lating) Etymology: Latin extra outside + English -polate (as in interpolate) — more at extra- Date: 1874 transitive verb 1. to infer (values of a variable in an unobserved interval) from values within an already observed interval 2. a. to project, extend, or expand (known data or experience) into an area not known or experienced so as to arrive at a usually conjectural knowledge of the unknown area <extrapolates present trends to construct an image of the future> b. to predict by projecting past experience or known data <extrapolate public sentiment on one issue from known public reaction on others> intransitive verb to perform the act or process of extrapolating • extrapolation noun • extrapolative adjective • extrapolator noun

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v.tr. (also absol.) 1 Math. & Philos. a calculate approximately from known values, data, etc. (others which lie outside the range of those known). b calculate on the basis of (known facts) to estimate unknown facts, esp. extend (a curve) on a graph. 2 infer more widely from a limited range of known facts. Derivatives: extrapolation n. extrapolative adj. extrapolator n. Etymology: EXTRA- + INTERPOLATE

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(extrapolates, extrapolating, extrapolated) If you extrapolate from known facts, you use them as a basis for general statements about a situation or about what is likely to happen in the future. (FORMAL) Extrapolating from his American findings, he reckons about 80% of these deaths might be attributed to smoking... It is unhelpful to extrapolate general trends from one case. VERB: V from n, V n from n • extrapolation (extrapolations) His estimate of half a million HIV positive cases was based on an extrapolation of the known incidence of the virus. N-VAR