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suspicion

n. · v.
US //səˈspɪʃən// UK //səspˈɪʃən// sus·pi·cion
  1. 1 feeling of guilt (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a feeling that someone has done something wrong or dishonest.

    the act of suspecting someone of a crime, error, or misdeed based on limited evidence.

    Example

    The police had a strong suspicion that the shopkeeper was lying about the robbery.

    Example

    Initial suspicion fell upon the accountant after several unexplained discrepancies were discovered during the internal audit.
  2. 2 a hunch or belief (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a feeling that something is true or likely to happen.

    a belief or opinion based on intuition or circumstantial evidence rather than direct proof.

    Example

    I have a sneaking suspicion that they are planning a surprise party for me.

    Example

    The lead researcher harboured a growing suspicion that the data had been manipulated before it reached the laboratory.
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  1. 3 a tiny amount (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a very small amount of something.

    a slight trace or minute indication of a quality or substance.

    Example

    The soup was delicious, with just a suspicion of garlic in the sauce.

    Example

    The diplomat's voice carried a suspicion of irony that was not lost on the experienced negotiators.
  2. 4 to suspect (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect

    to think that someone is guilty or that something is true.

    to suspect or have a feeling of doubt; used as a verb in specific regional varieties.

    Example

    I suspicioned that he wasn't telling the whole truth about where he'd been.

    Example

    The locals began to suspicion the newcomers after several strange occurrences near the old mill.

    Usage

    This verb form is non-standard and typically restricted to specific regional dialects.
Origin

From Middle English suspecioun, borrowed from Latin suspīciō, suspīciōnem, from suspicere, from sub- (“up to”) with specere (“to look at”). Perhaps partly through the influence of Old French sospeçon (or rather the Anglo-Norman form suspecioun). Equivalent to suspect + -ion.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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