\Sur*mise"\, n. [OF. surmise accusation, fr. surmettre,
p. p. surmis, to impose, accuse; sur (see {Sur-}) + mettre to
put, set, L. mittere to send. See {Mission}.]
1. A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon
   feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the
   surmisses of jealousy or of envy.
         [We] double honor gain From his surmise proved
         false.                                --Milton.
         No man ought to be charged with principles he
         actually disowns, unless his practicies contradict
         his profession; not upon small surmises. --Swift.
2. Reflection; thought. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: Conjecture; supposition; suspicion; doubt.

\Sur*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Surmised}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Surmising}.]
To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight
grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess.
      It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew That what
      before she but surmised, was true.       --Dryden.
      This change was not wrought by altering the form or
      position of the earth, as was surmised by a very
      learned man, but by dissolving it.       --Woodward.