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axiom

 - 6 dictionary results

ax⋅i⋅om

[ak-see-uhm]
–noun
1. a self-evident truth that requires no proof.
2. a universally accepted principle or rule.
3. Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it.

Origin:
1475–85; < L axiōma < Gk: something worthy, equiv. to axiō-, var. s. of axioûn to reckon worthy + -ma resultative n. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ax·i·om   (āk'sē-əm)   
n.  
  1. A self-evident or universally recognized truth; a maxim: "It is an economic axiom as old as the hills that goods and services can be paid for only with goods and services" (Albert Jay Nock).

  2. An established rule, principle, or law.

  3. A self-evident principle or one that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument; a postulate.


[Middle English, from Old French axiome, from Latin axiōma, axiōmat-, from Greek, from axios, worthy; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

axiom [(ak-see-uhm)]

In mathematics, a statement that is unproved but accepted as a basis for other statements, usually because it seems so obvious.

Note: The term axiomatic is used generally to refer to a statement so obvious that it needs no proof.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

axiom 
1485, from M.Fr. axiome, from L. axioma, from Gk. axioma "authority," lit. "that which is thought worthy or fit," from axioun "to think worthy," from axios "worthy, worth, of like value, weighing as much," from PIE adj. *ag-ty-o- "weighty," from base *ag- "to drive, draw, move" (cf. Gk. agein "weigh, pull").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

AXIOM language
A commercially available subset of Scratchpad, from IBM.
["Axiom - The Scientific Computing System", R. Jenks et al, Springer 1992].
(1995-02-21)

axiom logic
A well-formed formula which is taken to be true without proof in the construction of a theory.
Compare: lemma.
(1995-03-31)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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