Sur*mise" (?), n. [OF. surmise
accusation, fr. surmettre, p. p. surmis, to impose,
accuse; sur (see Sur-) + mettre to put, set, L.
mittere to send. See Mission.] 1. A
thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or
scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmisses of
jealousy or of envy.
[We] double honor gain
From his surmise proved false.
Milton.
No man ought to be charged with principles he actually
disowns, unless his practicies contradict his profession; not upon
small surmises.
Swift.
2. Reflection; thought. [Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. -- Conjecture; supposition; suspicion; doubt.
Sur*mise", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Surmised (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Surmising.] To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer
on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to
guess.
It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew
That what before she but surmised, was true.
Dryden.
This change was not wrought by altering the form or
position of the earth, as was surmised by a very learned man,
but by dissolving it.
Woodward.