March 07, 2012
surmise (verb)
\ser-MYZE\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
: to form an idea based on very little evidence : guess
How do you use it?
Although she couldn't prove it, Ariel surmised that the neighbor's dog was responsible for digging up the petunias that she had just planted.
Are you a word wiz?

What do you think the root word of "surmise" means?

"Surmise" comes from the Latin word "supermittere," which combines the prefix "super," (meaning "over" or "above") with "mittere" (meaning "to send"). Other English words that have "mittere" as a base include "message," a communication that is sent either in writing or by word of mouth, and "promise," a statement that is sent forth by a person pledging to do or not do something. Two more are "dismiss" and "permit." When you dismiss someone, you are sending them away, while to permit something is to allow it or send it through.
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