postulate
verbUK /ˈpɒstjʊleɪt/ · AU /ˈpɔst͡ʃəlæɪt/
Etymology From Latin postulātus, perfect passive participle of postulō (“to request”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Cognate with French postuler.
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, Part 3, Prop. XXII, But this pleasure or pain is postulated to come to us accompanied by the idea of an external cause; […]
- [T]he attempt to arrive at a physical explanation of existence led the Ionian thinkers to postulate various primal elements or simply the infinite τὸ ἀπειρον.1911, Infinite, Encyclopædia Britannica:
2
Christianity Ambitransitive, Historical To appoint or request one's appointment to an ecclesiastical office.
- [A]lthough Douglas was postulated to it [the Abbacy of Arbroath], and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination […] was never completed.1874, John Small, editor, The Poetical Works of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, volume 1, page xvi:
3
Ambitransitive, Obsolete To request, demand or claim for oneself.
- Derived terms
- postulation, postulational, repostulate, unpostulated