[metmom]

Why is the dictionary definition inadequate? What special definition of theory are scientists using that they are not letting the general public know about? If it's different, then why isn't in the dictionary as all the other variations on the word are?

[From many - one.]

Irrelevant.

You have been told how the word is used by scientists.

You may not like it, but you cannot deny it.

Pretending you don't know how the word is used by scientists is disingenuous at best. Oh, and anyone who takes a science class should learn about scientific theories and scientific laws. It's no secret.