The meaning of 'suspect' in the given passage is meaning 2, which refers to believing someone is guilty without having proof.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of suspect used in the first paragraph of the passage is the second meaning, which is 'to believe to be guilty without proof.' This is evident from the context provided in the example scenario, where it is stated that 'though they strongly suspect at least one of the two individuals has committed the more serious crime of armed robbery, they have no direct evidence to back up their suspicions.' This indicates that the police have formed a belief regarding the guilt of the individuals involved, but lack conclusive evidence to confirm it.
The probable question can be: In paragraph 1 of the passage, the term "suspect" is used to express the act of supposing something to be true or likely. Which meaning of suspect is used in paragraph 1 of the passage?
In the quaint town of Greenwood, a wave of unease swept through the community as reports of mysterious burglaries surfaced. Whispers echoed through the cobblestone streets, and the townsfolk, eager to pinpoint the elusive perpetrator, began to suspect Mrs. Thompson, the amiable local florist, of being involved in the recent string of thefts. Despite lacking any concrete evidence tying her to the crimes, suspicion arose due to a collective belief that her recent financial struggles might have driven her to desperate measures. In the absence of proof, the townspeople grappled with the dilemma of whether their suspicions were grounded in reality or merely fueled by speculation.