hypothecate

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The Word of the Day for April 7 is:

hypothecate   \hy-PAH-thuh-kayt\   verb 
     : hypothesize 

Example sentence: 
     The scientist hypothecated that the lab rats' new behavior was linked to 
changes in their sleep patterns. 

Did you know?  
     "Hypothecate" is a controversial word. It has existed as a synonym of 
"hypothesize" since 1906, showing up primarily in scientific and linguistic 
sources, but usage commentators have long criticized it, from Henry Fowler in 
1926 to Harry Shaw in 1987. It is sometimes perceived as a mistaken use of 
another "hypothecate," one meaning "to pledge as security without title or 
possession." Both "hypothecate" homographs -- and "hypothesize" too -- derive 
ultimately from the Greek "hypotithenai" ("to put under," "to suppose," or "to 
deposit as a pledge"), but each entered English by a different route. The 
hypothesizing "hypothecate" is a legitimate (albeit uncommon) word in its own 
right, not a misuse of its homograph. If you want to avoid the controversy 
altogether, however, you can stick with the more common "hypothesize."





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