postulate
pos·tu·late (päs′c̸hə lāt′; for n., usually, -lit)
transitive verb postulated -·lat′ed, postulating -·lat′·ing
- to claim; demand; require
- to assume without proof to be true, real, or necessary, esp. as a basis for argument
- to take as self-evident; assume
Etymology: < L postulatus, pp. of postulare, to demand < base of poscere, to demand < IE *pṛskā, question < base *per-, to ask > Ger frage, question
noun
- something postulated; assumption or axiom
- a prerequisite
- a basic principle
Etymology: ModL postulatum < neut. of L postulatus
Related Forms:
- postulation pos′·tu·la′·tion noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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