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			| 1.
								a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses
 true in fact and theory
 2.
								a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
 a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
 he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
 3.
								a belief that can guide behavior
 the architect has a theory that more is less
 they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
 
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