noun

suspicion

suspicion, a feeling of doubt, a very small amount

He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

I have a suspicion that he is not telling the truth.

I have a suspicion that he is not telling the truth.

There was a suspicion of a smile on her face.

There was a suspicion of a smile on her face.

((on suspicion of sth.)) on the grounds of believing that (sth.) has been done He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

((a suspicion that ...)) a feeling or belief that (sth.) is true I have a suspicion that she knows more than she is saying.

((a suspicion of sth.)) a very small amount of (sth.) There was a suspicion of alcohol on his breath.

Synonyms: doubt, mistrust; Antonyms: trust, certainty

From Latin 'suspicere' (to look at from below, mistrust), from 'sus-' (under) + 'specere' (to look at).

Imagine looking 'under' (-sus) your eyes at someone; it's a look of suspicion.

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