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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Inference \In"fer*ence\, n. [From {Infer}.]
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1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.
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Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions,
it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of
inference. --Glanvill.
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2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from
another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a
conclusion; a deduction. --Milton.
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These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of
reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all
together, are called syllogism, or argument. --I.
Watts.

Syn: Conclusion; deduction; consequence.

Usage: {Inference}, {Conclusion}. An inference is literally
that which is brought in; and hence, a deduction or
induction from premises, -- something which follows as
certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger
than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and
terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or
probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of
reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the
ultimate conclusion. "An inference is a proposition
which is perceived to be true, because of its
connection with some known fact." "When something is
simply affirmed to be true, it is called a
proposition; after it has been found to be true by
several reasons or arguments, it is called a
conclusion." --I. Taylor.
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