postulate
noun
- statement that is taken to be true
verb
- propose or offer
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpɒstjʊlət/ / /ˈpɑst͡ʃələt/ / /ˈpɑst͡ʃəˌleɪt/ / /ˈpɒstjʊleɪt/ / /ˈpɔst͡ʃəlæɪt/
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Latin poscō? Latin postulō Latin postulātusnom. Latin postulātumbor. English postulate Borrowed from Latin postulātum, a neuter nominalization of postulātus, perfect passive participle of postulō, possibly from poscō. See -ate (noun-forming suffix) for more. Cognate with French postulat.
- Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument. Sometimes distinguished from axioms as being relevant to a particular science or context, rather than universally true, and following from other axioms rather than being an absolute assumption.
- A fundamental element; a basic principle.
- An axiom.
- A requirement; a prerequisite.
verb
Etymology: From Latin postulātus, perfect passive participle of postulō (“to request”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.
- Alternative form of postulated, past participle of postulate.
“Quoth he, What Nature can afford, I shall produce upon my word ; And if she ever gave that boon To man, I'll prove that I have one ; I mean, by postulate Illation, When you shall offer just occasion ;[…]”