Definitions for: Postulate


[n] (logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to provide a basis for logical reasoning
[v] take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom; "He posited three basic laws of nature"
[v] maintain or assert; "He contended that Communism had no future"
[v] require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent"



Webster (1913) Definition: Pos"tu*late, n. [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, a.
Postulated. [Obs.] --Hudibras.


Pos"tu*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postulated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Postulating.]
1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate
conclusions.

2. 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.

Synonyms: ask, call for, contend, demand, involve, necessitate, need, posit, posit, require, take

Antonyms: eliminate, obviate, rid of

See Also: assert, assumption, claim, cost, cry for, cry out for, draw, govern, imply, insist, premise, premiss, presuppose, proposition

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