Ah theory, how very, very many definitions you have. I've included my favorites.
P.S. if you want the proper, scientific definition, it's the first one. (pet peeve of mine)
Disclaimer: See ch. 1
Theory: a coherent group of general propositions used as principles ofexplanation for a class of phenomena
Also
a particular conception or view of something to be done or ofthe method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.
Also
guess or conjecture
If Boil fries at least ten droids each skirmish he doubles he and Waxer's chances of survival. He observes most troopers being shot apart by at least five droids before they die. If he doesn't think about Numa then the universe won't respond to the anomaly of a clone feeling paternal by killing her; but then he starts to forget what she looks like. He paints her face on his helmet as a compromise. Boil has suppositions about compromises. If he makes enough of them then all three of them will get to be together again. It's a numbers game.