What is the origin of word hypothesis?

The word "hypothesis" has its roots in ancient Greek. It comes from the word ὑπόθεσις (hypóthesis), which literally translates to "placing under" or "a placing under".

Here's a breakdown of the etymology:

* ὑπό (hypo): This prefix means "under" or "below".

* θέσις (thesis): This word means "placing" or "position".

Therefore, the original meaning of "hypothesis" was a proposition or assumption placed under consideration. It's a foundation or starting point for further investigation or argument.

Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the modern understanding of a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, which is then tested and refined through observation and experimentation.