Postulate

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpÉ’s.tjÊŠ.lÉ™t/
• UK IPA: /ˈpÉ’s.tjÊŠ.leɪt/
• US IPA: /ˈpÉ‘s.tʃə.lÉ™t /, /ˈpÉ‘s.tjÉ™.lÉ™t/
• US IPA: /ˈpÉ‘s.tʃə.leɪt /, /ˈpÉ‘s.tjÉ™.leɪt/
• Hyphenation: pos + tu + late

Origin

Medieval Latin postulātum, past participle of postulāre ("to assume" later "to appoint or request ecclesiastical appointment"), from Latin, postulō ("request").

Full definition of postulate

Noun

1. Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument.
2. A fundamental element; a basic principle.
3. (logic) An axiom.
4. A requirement; a prerequisite.

Verb

1. 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, , Prop. XXII,But this pleasure or pain is postulated to come to us accompanied by the idea of an external cause; ...
• 1911, Encyclopædia Britannica, "",The attempt to arrive at a physical explanation of existence led the Ionian thinkers to postulate various primal elements or simply the infinite τὸ ἀπειρον.
2. (ambitransitive, 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. xviAlthough Douglas was postulated to it Abbacy of Arbroath, and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination ... was never completed.
3. (ambitransitive, obsolete) To request, demand or claim for oneself.

Adjective

1. Postulated.----