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Infer vs Perceive - What's the difference?

infer | perceive |

As verbs the difference between infer and perceive

is that infer is to introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence while perceive is to see, to be aware of, to understand.

infer

English

Verb

(inferr)
  • To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
  • * 2010 , "Keep calm, but don't carry on", The Economist , 7 Oct 2010:
  • It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.
  • To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. (Now often considered incorrect, especially with a person as subject.)
  • *, II.3:
  • These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre .
  • * Shakespeare
  • This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
  • * Sir Thomas More
  • The first part is not the proof of the second, but rather contrariwise, the second inferreth well the first.
  • (obsolete) To cause, inflict (something) (upon) or (to) someone.
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.8:
  • faire Serena.
  • (obsolete) To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.

    Usage notes

    There are two ways in which the word "infer" is sometimes used as if it meant "imply". "Implication" is done by a person when making a "statement", whereas "inference" is done to a proposition after it had already been made or assumed. Secondly, the word "infer" can sometimes be used to mean "allude" or "express" in a suggestive manner rather than as a direct "statement". Using the word "infer" in this sense is now generally considered incorrect. [http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000232.htm

    Synonyms

    * assume, conclude, deduce, construe

    Anagrams

    * ----

    perceive

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Verb

  • To see, to be aware of, to understand.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
  • , author=Colin Allen , title=Do I See What You See? , volume=100, issue=2, page=168 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical, others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know.}}

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    References

    *