from m-w.com:
Main Entry: ex·trap·o·late
Pronunciation: ik-‘stra-p&-“lAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ing
Etymology: Latin extra outside + English -polate (as in interpolate)
Date: 1874
transitive senses:
- to infer (values of a variable in an unobserved interval) from values
within an already observed interval -
- to project, extend, or expand (known data or
experience) into an
area not known or experienced so as to arrive at a usually conjectural knowledge
of the unknown area <extrapolates present trends to construct an image
of the future> - to predict by projecting past experience or known
data <extrapolate public sentiment on one issue from known public
reaction on others>
- to project, extend, or expand (known data or
intransitive senses:
to perform the act or process of extrapolating
– ex·trap·o·la·tion /-“stra-p&-‘lA-sh&n/ noun
– ex·trap·o·la·tive /-‘stra-p&-“lA-tiv/ adjective
– ex·trap·o·la·tor /-“lA-t&r/ noun