Postulate
Postulate , noun
[Latin postulatum a demand, request, prop. past participle of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to German forschen to search, investigate, Sanskrit prach to ask, and Latin precari to pray: compare French postulat. See Pray.]
1.
Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.
2.
(Geometry) The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.
The distinction between a postulate and an axiom lies in this, -- that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny.
Postulate , adjective
Postulated. [Obsolete] — Hudibras
Postulate , transitive verb
1.
To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions.
2.
To take without express consent; to assume.
The Byzantine emperors appear to have... postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation.
3.
To invite earnestly; to solicit. [Obsolete] — Bp. Burnet