pos·tu·late

(pŏs′chə-lāt′)

tr.v. pos·tu·lat·ed, pos·tu·lat·ing, pos·tu·lates

1. To assume or assert the truth, reality, or necessity of, especially as a basis of an argument: "We can see individuals, but we can't see providence; we have to postulate it" (Aldous Huxley).

2. To propose as a hypothesis or explanation: Researchers now postulate that the disease is caused by a virus.

3. To assume as a premise or axiom; take for granted.

4. Archaic To make claim for; demand.

n. (pŏs′chə-lĭt, -lāt′)

1. Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument: "the postulate that there is little moral difference between the superpowers" (Henry A. Kissinger).

2. A fundamental element; a basic principle.

3. Mathematics An axiom.

4. Archaic A requirement; a prerequisite.

[Medieval Latin postulāre, postulāt-, to nominate to a bishopric, to assume, from Latin, to request; see prek- in Indo-European roots.]

pos′tu·la′tion n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	postulation - (logic) a declaration of something self-evident; something that can be assumed as the basis for argument predication logic - the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference declaration - a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
	2.	postulation - a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority petition, request application - a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school; "December 31 is the deadline for applications" ingathering, solicitation, collection, appeal - request for a sum of money; "an appeal to raise money for starving children" subject matter, content, message, substance - what a communication that is about something is about demand - an urgent or peremptory request; "his demands for attention were unceasing"

postulation

noun

Something taken to be true without proof:

assumption, postulate, premise, presupposition, supposition, theory, thesis.

Translations

Postulat

postulation

[ˌpɒstjʊˈleɪʃən] N → postulación f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

postulation

n (= act) → Postulieren nt; (= theory) → Postulat nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007