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Axiom — meaning in English

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English meaning

  • axiom noun A statement accepted as true without proof, used as a starting point from which other results are derived.
  • postulate noun 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.

Senses

Axiom is used for these senses in English:

  • axiom (philosophy) A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption; a principle or proposition which cannot actually be proved or disproved.
  • axiom (logic, mathematics, proof theory) A fundamental assumption that serves as a basis for deduction of theorems; a postulate (sometimes distinguished from postulates as being universally applicable, whereas postulates are particular to a certain science or context).
  • postulate (logic) An axiom.

axiom — full definition

  1. noun A statement accepted as true without proof, used as a starting point from which other results are derived.
  2. noun A saying or principle that is widely regarded as obviously true.

postulate — full definition

  1. noun 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. noun A fundamental element; a basic principle.
  3. noun A requirement; a prerequisite.

Related German words