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postulate

 - 6 dictionary results

pos⋅tu⋅late

  [v. pos-chuh-leyt; n. pos-chuh-lit, -leyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing, noun
Use postulate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to ask, demand, or claim.
2. to claim or assume the existence or truth of, esp. as a basis for reasoning or arguing.
3. to assume without proof, or as self-evident; take for granted.
4. Mathematics, Logic. to assume as a postulate.
–noun
5. something taken as self-evident or assumed without proof as a basis for reasoning.
6. Mathematics, Logic. a proposition that requires no proof, being self-evident, or that is for a specific purpose assumed true, and that is used in the proof of other propositions; axiom.
7. a fundamental principle.
8. a necessary condition; prerequisite.
Origin:
1525–35; < L postulātum petition, thing requested, n. use of neut. of ptp. of postulāre to request, demand, akin to pōscere to request

Related forms:
pos⋅tu⋅la⋅tion, noun
pos⋅tu⋅la⋅tion⋅al, adjective

Synonyms:
3. hypothecate, presuppose, conjecture. 5. hypothesis, theory; axiom; assumption, conjecture.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To postulate
pos·tu·late   (pŏs'chə-lāt')   
tr.v.   pos·tu·lat·ed, pos·tu·lat·ing, pos·tu·lates

  1. To make claim for; demand.

  2. To assume or assert the truth, reality, or necessity of, especially as a basis of an argument.

  3. To assume as a premise or axiom; take for granted. See Synonyms at presume.

n.   (pŏs'chə-lĭt, -lāt')

  1. Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument: "the postulate that there is little moral difference between the superpowers" (Henry A. Kissinger).

  2. A fundamental element; a basic principle.

  3. Mathematics An axiom.

  4. A requirement; a prerequisite.


[Medieval Latin postulāre, postulāt-, to nominate to a bishopric, to assume, from Latin, to request; see prek- in Indo-European roots.]
pos'tu·la'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

postulate

A statement accepted as true for the purposes of argument or scientific investigation; also, a basic principle. (See axiom.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

postulate  (v.)
1433 (implied in postulation), "nominate to a church office," from M.L. postulatus, pp. of postulare "to ask, demand," probably formed from pp. of L. poscere "ask urgently, demand," from *posk-to-, Italic inchoative of PIE base *prek- "to ask questions" (cf. Skt. prcchati, Avestan peresaiti "interrogates," O.H.G. forskon, Ger. forschen "to search, inquire"). Use in logic dates from 1646, borrowed from M.L. The noun is first recorded 1588.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pos·tu·late
Pronunciation: 'päs-ch&-l&t, -"lAt
Function: noun
: a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition,condition, or premise of a train of reasoning —see KOCH'S POSTULATES
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

postulate pos·tu·late (pŏs'chə-lāt')
v. pos·tu·lat·ed, pos·tu·lat·ing, pos·tu·lates
To assume or assert the truth or necessity of, especially as a basis of an argument. n.
An unproved assertion or assumption, especially a statement offered as the basis of a theory.

pos'tu·la'tion n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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