postulate

From Medieval Latin postulāt- (“asked”), from the verb postulāre (“to ask”), from Latin postulō (“request”).

Noun

• (UK) enPR: pŏsʹtyo͝o-lət IPA^(key): /ˈpɒstjʊlət/
• (US) enPR: pŏsʹchə-lət, pŏsʹchə-lāt', IPA^(key): /ˈpɑstʃələt/, /ˈpɑstʃəˌleɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pos‧tu‧late

Adjective

• (UK) enPR: pŏsʹtyo͝o-lət IPA^(key): /ˈpɒstjʊlət/
• (US) enPR: pŏsʹchə-lət, IPA^(key): /ˈpɑstʃələt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pos‧tu‧late

Verb

• (UK) enPR: pŏsʹtyo͝o-lāt IPA^(key): /ˈpɒstjʊleɪt/
• (US) enPR: pŏsʹchə-lāt' IPA^(key): /ˈpɑstʃəˌleɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pos‧tu‧late

postulate (plural postulates)

1. Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument. Sometimes distinguished from axioms as being relevant to a particular science or context, rather than universally true, and following from other axioms rather than being an absolute assumption.
2. A fundamental element; a basic principle.
3. (logic) An axiom.
4. A requirement; a prerequisite.

• parallel postulate
• universal postulate

postulate (not comparable)

1. Postulated.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Hudibras to this entry?)

postulate (third-person singular simple present postulates, present participle postulating, simple past and past participle postulated)

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; […]

   • 1911, Encyclopædia Britannica, "Infinite",

     [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.

2. (transitive, intransitive, 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. xvi

     [A]lthough Douglas was postulated to it [the Abbacy of Arbroath], and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination […] was never completed.

3. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To request, demand or claim for oneself.

• postulation
• postulational

• attopulse

postulate

1. second-person plural present indicative of postulare
2. second-person plural imperative of postulare
3. feminine plural of postulato

postulāte

1. first-person plural present active imperative of postulō