theory

theory
\ \ [16] The etymological notion underlying theory is of ‘looking’; only secondarily did it develop via ‘contemplation’ to ‘mental conception’. It comes via late Latin theōria from Greek theōríācontemplation, speculation, theory’. This was a derivative of theōrósspectator’, which was formed from the base thea- (source also of theásthaiwatch, look at’, from which English gets theatre). Also derived from theōrós was theōreínlook at’, which formed the basis of theórēmaspeculation, intuition, theory’, acquired by English via late Latin theōrēma as theorem [16]. From the same source comes theoretical [17].
\ \ Cf.THEATRE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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