Guĕss1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. GUESSED (gĕst); p. pr. & vb. n. GUESSING.] [O. Eng. gesse, D. gissen, Dan. gisse and giette, Sw. gissa, Icel. giska, for gitska, allied to A. S. gitan, Eng. get, to obtain.] 1. To form an opinion concerning without certain principles or means of knowledge; to judge of at random. First, if thou canst, the harder reason guess. Pope. 2. To judge or form an opinion of, from reasons that seem preponderating, but are not decisive. We may then guess how far it was from his design. Milton.
- To solve by a correct conjecture; to conjecture rightly; as, he who guesses the riddle shall have the ring; he has guessed my designs.
- To hit upon by accident. Locke.
Your own people have informed you, I guess, by this time. Middleton. Syn.—To conjecture; suppose; surmise; suspect; divine; think; imagine; fancy.—To GUESS, THINK, RECKON. Guess denotes to attempt to hit upon at random; as, to guess at a thing when blindfolded; to conjecture or form an opinion on hidden or very slight grounds; as, to guess a riddle, to guess out the meaning of an obscure passage. It is a gross vulgarism to use the word guess, not in its true and specific sense, but simply for think or believe; as, I guess the mail has arrived; I guess he is at home. It is equally vulgar to use reckon in the same way; as, I reckon the mail has arrived; I reckon he is at home.