terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of
reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the ultimate conclusion. "An inference is a proposition
which is perceived to be true, because of its connection with some known fact." "When something is
simply affirmed to be true, it is called a proposition; after it has been found to be true by several reasons
or arguments, it is called a conclusion." I. Taylor.
Inferential
(In`fer*en"tial) a. Deduced or deducible by inference. "Inferential proofs." J. S. Mill.
Inferentially
(In`fer*en"tial*ly), adv. By way of inference.
Inferiæ
(||In*fe"ri*æ) n. pl. [L., fr. inferus underneath.] (Rom. Antiq.) Sacrifices offered to the souls of
deceased heroes or friends.
Inferior
(In*fe"ri*or) a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf.
F. inférieur. See Under.]
1. Lower in place, rank, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate; underneath; beneath.
A thousand inferior and particular propositions.
I. Watts.
The body, or, as some love to call it, our inferior nature.
Burke.
Whether they are equal or inferior to my other poems, an author is the most improper judge.
Dryden. 2. Poor or mediocre; as, an inferior quality of goods.
3. (Astron.) (a) Nearer the sun than the earth is; as, the inferior or interior planets; an inferior conjunction
of Mercury or Venus. (b) Below the horizon; as, the inferior part of a meridian.
4. (Bot.) (a) Situated below some other organ; — said of a calyx when free from the ovary, and therefore
below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior calyx. (b) On the side of a flower which
is next the bract; anterior.
5. (Min.) Junior or subordinate in rank; as, an inferior officer.
Inferior court (Law), a court subject to the jurisdiction of another court known as the superior, or
higher, court. — Inferior letter, Inferior figure (Print.), a small letter or figure standing at the bottom
of the line as in A2, Bn, 2 and n are inferior characters. — Inferior tide, the tide corresponding to
the moon's transit of the meridian, when below the horizon.
Inferior
(In*fe"ri*or), n. A person lower in station, rank, intellect, etc., than another.
A great person gets more by obliging his inferior than by disdaining him.
South.
