The reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation.

synonym: inference.

Roget 480: result, conclusion, upshot; deduction, inference, ergotism [Med.]; illation; corollary, porism^†; moral.    estimation, valuation, appreciation, judication^†; dijudication^†, adjudication; arbitrament, arbitrement^†, arbitration; assessment, ponderation^†; valorization.    award, estimate; review, criticism, critique, notice, report.    decision, determination, judgment, finding, verdict, sentence, decree; findings of fact; findings of law; res judicata [Lat.].    plebiscite, voice, casting vote; vote etc. (choice) 609; opinion etc. (belief) 484; good judgment etc. (wisdom) 498.    judge, umpire; arbiter, arbitrator; asessor, referee.    censor, reviewer, critic; connoisseur; commentator etc. 524; inspector, inspecting officer.    twenty-twenty hindsight [judgment after the fact]; armchair general, monday morning quarterback.    ... show more

Dutch: afgeleid gegeven, slotsom, eindoordeel, gevolgtrekking, conclusie