Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Postulate
Pos′tu-late
,Noun.
[L.
postulatum
a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare
to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere
to demand, prob. for porcscere
; akin to G. forschen
to search, investigate, Skr. prach
to ask, and L. precari
to pray: cf. F. postulat
. See Pray
.] 1.
Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.
2.
(Geom.)
The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.
The distinction between a
postulate
and an axiom lies in this, – that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny. Eng. Cyc.
Pos′tu-late
,Adj.
Postulated.
[Obs.]
Hudibras.
Pos′tu-late
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Postulated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Postulating
.] 1.
To beg, or assume without proof;
as, to
. postulate
conclusions2.
To take without express consent; to assume.
The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . .
postulated
a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation. W. Tooke.
3.
To invite earnestly; to solicit.
[Obs.]
Bp. Burnet.
Webster 1828 Edition
Postulate
POS'TULATE
,Noun.
A position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident, or too plain to require illustration.
A self-evident problem, answering to axiom, which is a self-evident theorem.
POS'TULATE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To invite; to solicit; to require by entreaty.2.
To assume; to take without positive consent. The Byzantine emperors appear to have exercised, or at least to have postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation.
Definition 2024
Postulate
postulate
postulate
See also: Postulate
English
- (UK) enPR: pŏsʹtyo͝o-lāt IPA(key): /ˈpɒstjʊleɪt/
- (US) enPR: pŏsʹchə-lāt' IPA(key): /ˈpɑstʃəˌleɪt/
- Hyphenation: pos‧tu‧late
Noun
postulate (plural postulates)
- Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument.
- A fundamental element; a basic principle.
- (logic) An axiom.
- A requirement; a prerequisite.
Derived terms
- parallel postulate
- universal postulate
Translations
something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted
fundamental element; basic principle
logic: an axiom
requirement, prerequisite
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Adjective
postulate (not comparable)
- Postulated.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Hudibras to this entry?)
Verb
postulate (third-person singular simple present postulates, present participle postulating, simple past and past participle postulated)
- To assume as a truthful or accurate premise or axiom, especially as a basis of an argument.
- 1883, Benedictus de Spinoza, translated by R. H. M. Elwes, Ethics, Part 3, Prop. XXII,
- But this pleasure or pain is postulated to come to us accompanied by the idea of an external cause; […]
- 1911, Encyclopædia Britannica, "Infinite",
- [T]he attempt to arrive at a physical explanation of existence led the Ionian thinkers to postulate various primal elements or simply the infinite τὸ ἀπειρον.
- 1883, Benedictus de Spinoza, translated by R. H. M. Elwes, Ethics, Part 3, Prop. XXII,
- (transitive, intransitive, Christianity, historical) To appoint or request one's appointment to an ecclesiastical office.
- 1874, John Small (ed.), The Poetical Works of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, Vol 1, p. xvi
- [A]lthough Douglas was postulated to it [the Abbacy of Arbroath], and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination […] was never completed.
- 1874, John Small (ed.), The Poetical Works of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, Vol 1, p. xvi
- (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To request, demand or claim for oneself.
Derived terms
Translations
To assume as a premise
To demand or claim