\Hy`po*thet"ic\, Hypothetical \Hy`po*thet"ic*al\, a.
[L. hypotheticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. hypoth['e]tique.]
Characterized by, or of the nature of, an hypothesis;
conditional; assumed without proof, for the purpose of
reasoning and deducing proof, or of accounting for some fact
or phenomenon.
      Causes hypothetical at least, if not real, for the
      various phenomena of the existence of which our
      experience informs us.                   --Sir W.
                                               Hamilton.
{Hypothetical baptism} (Ch. of Eng.), baptism administered to
   persons in respect to whom it is doubtful whether they
   have or have not been baptized before. --Hook. --
   {Hy`po*thet"ic*al*ly}, adv. --South.