/dawg"meuh, dog"-/ , n. , pl. dogmas, dogmata /-meuh teuh/ .
1. a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.
2. a specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church: the dogma of the Assumption.
3. prescribed doctrine: political dogma.
4. a settled or established opinion, belief, or principle.
[ 1590-1600; dok ( eîn ) to seem, think, seem good + -ma n. suffix ]