First Known Use: 1593
Dictionary
1postulate
verb pos·tu·late \ˈpäs-chə-ˌlāt\
: to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order to start a discussion
pos·tu·lat·edpos·tu·lat·ing
Full Definition of POSTULATE
transitive verb
2
a : to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary : depend upon or start from the postulate of b : to assume as a postulate or axiom (as in logic or mathematics)
— pos·tu·la·tion \ˌpäs-chə-ˈlā-shən\ noun
— pos·tu·la·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
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Origin of POSTULATE
Latin postulatus, past participle of postulare; akin to Latin poscere to ask, Old High German forscōn to search, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks — more at pray
Related to POSTULATE
- Synonyms
- hypothecate, hypothesize, assume, premise, presume, presuppose, say, suppose
Other Logic Terms
Rhymes with POSTULATE
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2postulate
noun pos·tu·late \ˈpäs-chə-lət, -ˌlāt\
: a statement that is accepted as being true and that is used as the basis of a theory, argument, etc.
Full Definition of POSTULATE
1
: a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise of a train of reasoning
2
: axiom 3
See postulate defined for English-language learners
Origin of POSTULATE
Medieval Latin postulatum, from neuter of postulatus, past participle of postulare to assume, from Latin, to demand
First Known Use: 1646
Related to POSTULATE
- Synonyms
- given, hypothetical, if, assumption, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, supposition
Other Logic Terms
Medical Dictionary
postulate
noun pos·tu·late \ˈpäs-chə-lət, -ˌlāt\
Medical Definition of POSTULATE
: a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise of a train of reasoning—see koch's postulates
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