— postulation , n. — postulational , adj.
v. /pos"cheuh layt'/ ; n. /pos"cheuh lit, -layt'/ , v. , postulated, postulating , n.
v.t.
1. to ask, demand, or claim.
2. to claim or assume the existence or truth of, esp. as a basis for reasoning or arguing.
3. to assume without proof, or as self-evident; take for granted.
4. Math. , Logic. to assume as a postulate.
n.
5. something taken as self-evident or assumed without proof as a basis for reasoning.
6. Math. , Logic. a proposition that requires no proof, being self-evident, or that is for a specific purpose assumed true, and that is used in the proof of other propositions; axiom.
7. a fundamental principle.
8. a necessary condition; prerequisite.
[ 1525-35; postulatum petition, thing requested, n. use of neut. of ptp. of postulare to request, demand, akin to poscere to request ]
Syn. 3. hypothecate, presuppose, conjecture. 5. hypothesis, theory; axiom; assumption, conjecture.