Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Inference \In"fer*ence\, n. [From {Infer}.]
   1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.

            Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions,
            it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of
            inference.                            --Glanvill.

   2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from
      another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a
      conclusion; a deduction. --Milton.

            These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of
            reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all
            together, are called syllogism, or argument. --I.
                                                  Watts.

   Syn: Conclusion; deduction; consequence.

   Usage: {Inference}, {Conclusion}. An inference is literally
          that which is brought in; and hence, a deduction or
          induction from premises, -- something which follows as
          certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger
          than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and
          terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or
          probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of
          reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the
          ultimate conclusion. ``An inference is a proposition
          which is perceived to be true, because of its
          connection with some known fact.'' ``When something is
          simply affirmed to be true, it is called a
          proposition; after it has been found to be true by
          several reasons or arguments, it is called a
          conclusion.'' --I. Taylor.

Source : WordNet®

inference
     n : the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a
         logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence
         and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct
         observation [syn: {illation}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

inference
     
         The logical process by which new facts are derived
        from known facts by the application of {inference rule}s.
     
        See also {symbolic inference}, {type inference}.
     
        (1995-03-20)