extrapolate
Definitions
To estimate or conclude something by extending known information beyond its range
外推；推断（超出已知范围）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedextra- (beyond) + the polīre/interpolāre stem ('touch up, fill in') + -ate. Coined by analogy with interpolate: where interpolate fills a value BETWEEN known points, extrapolate projects a value BEYOND them — extending the trend past where the data stops.
Root pol still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Extrapolate is the rare word built deliberately from interpolate. Once interpolate meant 'fill in a value between known points,' scientists swapped inter- (between) for extra- (beyond) to name the opposite move: pushing the line past the last data point. The shared -pol- stem is the Latin 'smooth in / refurbish' idea, not 'pole' or 'sell.'
Common Collocations
- 1.extrapolate from从……外推
- 2.extrapolate data外推数据
- 3.extrapolate a trend外推趋势
Example Sentences
- 1.
You can't reliably extrapolate next year's sales from a single month.
- 2.
Researchers extrapolated the trend to predict sea levels in 2100.
- 3.
Don't extrapolate from one bad experience to the whole industry.