extrapolate — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To infer by extending known information.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]

2. To estimate the value of a variable outside a known range from values within that range by assuming that the estimated value follows logically from the known ones

   Usage

   • Transitive

Verb

1. draw from specific cases for more general cases

   Synonyms

   generalizegeneraliseinfer

   Broader terms

   reasonreason outconclude

2. estimate the value of something based on known values

   Synonyms

   interpolate

   Broader terms

   calculateciphercyphercomputework outreckonfigure

3. gain knowledge of (an area not known or experienced) by extrapolating

   Broader terms

   deduceinferdeductderive