n. [ L. postulatum a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to pray: cf. F. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geom.) The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. Eng. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Postulated. [ Obs. ] Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Postulated p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating. ] 1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take without express consent; to assume. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . . postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation. W. Tooke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To invite earnestly; to solicit. [ Obs. ] Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation. ] The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. postulatorius. ] Of the nature of a postulate. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Postulata [ L. See Postulate, n. ] A postulate. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]