Hy′/po-thĕt′ic or Hy̆p′/o-thĕt′ic or Hy′/po-thĕt′ic-al or Hy̆p′/o-thĕt′ic-al, a.

a. [Gr. ὑποθετικός, Lat. hypotheticus, Fr. hypothétique.] Characterized by an hypothesis; conditional; assumed without proof for the purpose of reasoning and deducing proof.

Causes hypothetical at least, if not real, for the various phenomena of the existence of which our experience informs us. Sir W. Hamilton.