pos·tu·late /ˈpɑsʧəˌlet/
 假定,基本條件(vt.)要求,假定(vi.)要求
 pos·tu·late /ˈpɑsʧələt, ˌlet/ 名詞
 postulate
 公設
 Pos·tu·late n.
 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. Geom. 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.   --Eng. Cyc.
 Pos·tu·late, a. Postulated. [Obs.]
 Pos·tu·late v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postulated p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating.]
 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.   --W. Tooke.
 3. To invite earnestly; to solicit. [Obs.]
 ◄ ►
 postulate
      n : (logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to
          provide a basis for logical reasoning [syn: posit]
      v 1: maintain or assert; "He contended that Communism had no
           future" [syn: contend]
      2: take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom; "He posited
         three basic laws of nature" [syn: posit]
      3: require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do
         what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This
         job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position
         demands a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls
         for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not
         postulates a patient's consent" [syn: necessitate, ask,
          need, require, take, involve, call for, demand]
         [ant: obviate]