Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Postulate
Pos′tu-late
,Noun.
[L.
postulatum
a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare
to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere
to demand, prob. for porcscere
; akin to G. forschen
to search, investigate, Skr. prach
to ask, and L. precari
to pray: cf. F. postulat
. See Pray
.] 1.
Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.
2.
(Geom.)
The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.
The distinction between a
postulate
and an axiom lies in this, – that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny. Eng. Cyc.
Pos′tu-late
,Adj.
Postulated.
[Obs.]
Hudibras.
Pos′tu-late
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Postulated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Postulating
.] 1.
To beg, or assume without proof;
as, to
. postulate
conclusions2.
To take without express consent; to assume.
The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . .
postulated
a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation. W. Tooke.
3.
To invite earnestly; to solicit.
[Obs.]
Bp. Burnet.
Webster 1828 Edition
Postulate
POS'TULATE
,Noun.
A position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident, or too plain to require illustration.
A self-evident problem, answering to axiom, which is a self-evident theorem.
POS'TULATE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To invite; to solicit; to require by entreaty.2.
To assume; to take without positive consent. The Byzantine emperors appear to have exercised, or at least to have postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation.