Pope, Dunciad, iv

580. They [the English] were much more perfect in the theory than in the practice of pa ive obedience. Macaulay, Sir James Mackintosh. 3. An intelligible conception or account of how something has been brought about or should be done. A theory, in this sense, will most commonly, If they had been themselves to execute their own theory in this church, they would have seen, being nearer. Hooker, Eccles. Polity, v. 29. 5. In math . , a series of results belonging to one subject and going far toward giving a unitary and luminous view of that subject: as, the theory of functions.-6. Specifically, in music , the science of composition, as distinguished from practice, the art of performance.- Ampère's theory, an electrodynamic theory proposed by André Marie Ampère, according to which every molecule of a magnetic substance is supposed to be traversed by a closed electric current. Before magnetization the combined effect of these currents is zero, but by the magnetizing proce they are supposed to be brought more or le fully into a parallel position; their resultant effect is then equivalent to a series of parallel currents traversing the exterior surface of the magnet in a plane perpendicular to its axis and in a certain definite direction, which when the south pole is turned toward the observer is that of the hands of a watch. These hypothetical currents are called the Amperian currents . This theory is based upon the close analogy between a solenoid traversed by an electric current and a magnet. (See solenoid . ) Ampère conceived that the magnetic action of the earth is the result of currents circulating within it, or at its surface, from east to west, in planes parallel to the magnetic equator. - Antiphlogistic theory. See antiphlogistic . - Atomic theory. See atomic.- Automatic theory. Same as automatism , 2. Binary theory of salts. See binary. - Brunonian theory. See Brunonian . - Carnot's theory, the theory heat is an indestructible substance does by a fall of its temperature, as water does work by descending from one level to another. See Carnot's principle , under principle .-Cell or cellular theory. See cell . -- Contact theory of electricity. See electricity . Corpuscular theory. See light1 , 1.-Daltonian atomic theory. See Daltonian .-Derivative, dynamic, eccentric theory. See the adjectives. - Electromagnetic theory of light. See light1 , 1.- Erosion, germ, Grotian theory. See the qualifying words. - Governmental theory of the atonement. See atonement, 3 (a). - Lunar, mechanical, mosaic, mythical theory. See the adjectives. Naturalistic theory. See mythical theory . - Newton i an theory of light. See light1 , 1. - Organic, Plutonic, poriferan, reflex, retribution theory. See the quali fying words. Satisfaction theory of the atonement. See atonement , 3 ( a ). - Solar theory. See solarism . - Sublimation theory. See sublimation . - The bow-wow and pooh-pooh theories of language. See language . Theory of cataclysms or catastrophes. See cataclysm . - Theory of chances. See probability . - Theory of cognition, of development, of divisors, of emi ion, of equations, of exchanges, of faculties, of forms, of functions, of incasement, of numbers, of parallels, of preformation, of projectiles. See cognition , etc. Theory of special creations. See creation. - Undulatory theory of light. See light1 , 1.-Young-Helmholtz theory of color. See color . Syn. 3. Theory , Hypothesis, Speculation . (See def. 3.) Speculation is largely the work of the imagination, being often no more than the raising of po ibilities, with little reference to facts; hence the word is often used contemptuously. [=F. théosophe = Sp. theosoph (theo-sof), n . teósofo , theosoph us , a theologian, θεόσοφος , wise in things concerning God, θεός , god, + σοφός , wise. Cf. theosophy .] A theosophist.