| 释义 |
extrapolate, v.|ɛkˈstræpəleɪt, ˈɛkstrəpəleɪt|
[f. extra- + -polate of interpolate v., or back-formation f. extrapolation.]
†1. trans. To remove (a passage) from written matter. (Nonce-use by analogy with interpolate v. 3.)
1831Gladstone Let. in C. Wordsworth Ann. Early Life (1891) 91 They inserted the letter.., but extrapolated or metabolised a part where I had mentioned Canning.
2. a. In mathematical or scientific calculations, to estimate the values of (a function or series) outside a range in which some of its values are known, on the assumption that the trends followed inside the range continue outside it; to continue (a curve) on the basis of points already plotted on the graph; freq. absol. Also intr. (const. to), to reach (a specified value) when extrapolated.
1874W. S. Jevons Princ. Sci. II. xxii. 120 If we wish to assign by reasoning results lying beyond the limits of experiment, we may be said, using an expression of Sir George Airy, to extrapolate. 1904Biometrika III. 99 The proportionality of stress and strain is only true within narrow limits, yet the early investigators extrapolated from this linearity all across the mysteries of set, yield⁓point, and stricture, up to rupture! 1925Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. XI. 735 This scheme extrapolates to H simply by reducing the shielding to zero. 1933J. K. Roberts Heat & Thermodynamics (ed. 2) iv. 100 The liquid and vapour densities..are determined as near to the critical point as is practicable, and..the results are extrapolated to the point itself. 1955J. A. Wheeler in W. Pauli Niels Bohr 183 For the same energy the electron concentration factor, a, extrapolates to a value between log10 a = 1 and log10 a = 2, depending on the value of Z. 1957G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. ix. 579 This series of observations was extrapolated to 0°C. by Whipple and Parker.
b. transf. To apply (a theory, etc.) to unknown situations on the basis of its relevance to known situations; to infer (conclusions) from known facts or observed tendencies. Also absol. or intr.
1905W. James Meaning of Truth (1909) v. 129 The philosopher here stands for the stage of thought that goes beyond the stage of common sense; and the difference is simply that he ‘interpolates’ and ‘extrapolates’, where common sense does not. 1907Outlook 17 Aug. 206/1 History, geology, astronomy, are merely these extrapolated, and only demonstrate their relationship with the whole. 1935Mind XLIV. 393 Most scientific theories..are ‘extrapolated beyond the possibility of verification’. 1953Times Lit. Suppl. 28 Aug. 542/4 His documents..are..comments on a particular colony at a particular time; and it is hard work to extrapolate from them any general view about all the colonies. 1956A. J. Ayer Probl. Knowl. 153 It may very well be that one does not first form a concept of the relation of temporal precedence, and then extrapolate it to events which are beyond the range of this immediate experience.
Hence exˈtrapolated ppl. a., that has been extrapolated; obtained by extrapolation.
1931Rutherford Coll. Papers (1965) III. 255 The effective straggling coefficient for any range was calculated from this extrapolated curve. 1938R. W. Lawson tr. Hevesy & Paneth's Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) ii. 22 The ranges given in the table are the ‘practical’ or extrapolated ranges. 1967J. R. Wolberg Prediction Anal. v. 147 The uncertainty for the extrapolated value of y is obtained by analysis of all the experimental data (i.e., 62 separate data points). |