postulate

[v. pos-chuh-leyt; n. pos-chuh-lit, -leyt] /v. ˈpɒs tʃəˌleɪt; n. ˈpɒs tʃə lɪt, -ˌleɪt/
verb (used with object), postulated, postulating.
1.
to ask, demand, or claim.
2.
to claim or assume the existence or truth of, especially 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; < Latin postulātum petition, thing requested, noun use of neuter of past participle of postulāre to request, demand, akin to pōscere to request
Related forms
postulation, noun
postulational, adjective
repostulate, verb (used with object), repostulated, repostulating.
repostulate, noun
repostulation, noun
unpostulated, adjective
Synonyms
3. hypothecate, presuppose, conjecture. 5. hypothesis, theory; axiom; assumption, conjecture.
Examples from the web for postulates
  • Also, your argument postulates that new ways of things will be worse while providing no proof.
  • He postulates that there is almost unlimited potential in the energy contained in the zero-point field.
  • In particular, it postulates an elaborate reversal mechanism to get some gears to turn in the right direction.
  • They both offer postulates: one faith-based and the other evidence-based.
  • Any views on origins and purpose are mere postulates awaiting refutation based on developments in knowledge.
  • Math is a system of postulates and axioms based on a logical relationship that is then quantified.
  • Theory is limited by its postulates and boundary conditions.
  • Theory cannot be a shortcut because this tests theory's founding postulates.
  • He postulates, however, that something inherent in our physiology may have enabled this pattern of poetry to take shape.
  • So along come the punctuated equilibrium postulates which deepen the mire because you completely depart from long term evolvement.
British Dictionary definitions for postulates

postulate

verb (transitive; may take a clause as object) (ˈpɒstjʊˌleɪt)
1.
to assume to be true or existent; take for granted
2.
to ask, demand, or claim
3.
to nominate (a person) to a post or office subject to approval by a higher authority
noun (ˈpɒstjʊlɪt)
4.
something taken as self-evident or assumed as the basis of an argument
5.
a necessary condition or prerequisite
6.
a fundamental principle
7.
(logic, maths) an unproved and indemonstrable statement that should be taken for granted: used as an initial premise or underlying hypothesis in a process of reasoning
Derived Forms
postulation, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin postulāre to ask for, require; related to pōscere to request
Word Origin and History for postulates

postulate

v.

1530s, "nominate to a church office," from Medieval Latin postulatus, past participle of postulare "to ask, demand; claim; require," probably formed from past participle of Latin poscere "ask urgently, demand," from *posk-to-, Italic inchoative of PIE root *prek- "to ask questions" (cf. Sanskrit prcchati, Avestan peresaiti "interrogates," Old High German forskon, German forschen "to search, inquire"). Use in logic dates from 1640s, borrowed from Medieval Latin.

n.

1580s, "a request, demand," from Latin postulatum "demand, request," properly "that which is requested," noun use of neuter past participle of postulare (see postulate (v.)). The sense in logic of "self-evident proposition" is from 1640s. The earlier noun in English was postulation (c.1400).

postulates in Medicine

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.
postulates in Science
postulate
  (pŏs'chə-lĭt)   
See axiom.
postulates in Culture

postulate definition


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