postulate(n = noun.communication) posit - (logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to provide a basis for logical reasoning;
Derived form verb postulate₂

1.  postulate(v = verb.communication) contend - maintain or assert; "He contended that Communism had no future"
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

2.  postulate(v = verb.cognition) posit - take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom; "He posited three basic laws of nature"
Derived form noun postulate₁, noun postulation₁, noun postulator₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s that CLAUSE; Something ----s something

3.  postulate(v = verb.stative) ask, call for, demand, involve, necessitate, need, require, take - require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent"; "This job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice"
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

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

   Postulated. Hudibras. [1913 Webster]

1.  To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions. [1913 Webster]

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

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

postulate, v. & n.
--v.tr.
1 (often foll. by that + clause) assume as a necessary condition, esp. as a basis for reasoning; take for granted.
2 claim.
3 (in ecclesiastical law) nominate or elect to a higher rank.
--n.
1 a thing postulated.
2 a fundamental prerequisite or condition.
3 Math. an assumption used as a basis for mathematical reasoning.

Derivative:
postulation n.

Etymology:
L postulare postulat- demand

N  reasoning ratiocination rationalism, dialectics, induction, generalization, discussion, comment, ventilation, inquiry, argumentation, controversy, debate, polemics, wrangling, contention, logomachy, disputation, disceptation, paper war, art of reasoning, logic, process of reasoning, train of reasoning, chain of reasoning, deduction, induction, abduction, synthesis, analysis, argument, case, plaidoyer, opening, lemma, proposition, terms, premises, postulate, data, starting point, principle, inference, prosyllogism, syllogism, enthymeme, sorites, dilemma, perilepsis, a priori reasoning, reductio ad absurdum, horns of a dilemma, argumentum ad hominem, comprehensive argument, empirema, epagoge, reasoner, logician, dialectician, disputant, controversialist, controvertist, wrangler, arguer, debater polemic, casuist, rationalist, scientist, eristic, logical sequence, good case, correct just reasoning, sound reasoning, valid reasoning, cogent reasoning, logical reasoning, forcible reasoning, persuasive reasoning, persuasory reasoning, consectary reasoning, conclusive, subtle reasoning, force of argument, strong point, strong argument, persuasive argument, arguments, reasons, pros and cons, reasoning, rationalistic, argumentative, controversial, dialectic, polemical, discursory, discursive, disputatious, Aristotelian, eristic, eristical, debatable, controvertible, logical, relevant, for, because, hence, whence, seeing that, since, sith, then thence so, for that reason, for this reason, for which reason, for as, inasmuch as, whereas, ex concesso, considering, in consideration of, therefore, wherefore, consequently, ergo, thus, accordingly, a fortiori, in conclusion, in fine, finally, after all, au bout du compt, on the whole, taking one thing with another, ab actu ad posse valet consecutio, per troppo dibatter la verita si perde, troppo disputare la verita fa errare.

N  maxim, aphorism, apothegm, apophthegm, dictum, saying, adage, saw, proverb, sentence, mot, motto, word, byword, moral, phylactery, protasis, axiom, theorem, scholium, truism, postulate, first principles, a priori fact, assumption (supposition), reflection, conclusion, golden rule, principle, principia, profession of faith, settled principle, accepted principle, formula, accepted fact, received truth, wise maxim, sage maxim, received maxim, admitted maxim, recognized maxim, true saying, common saying, hackneyed saying, trite saying, commonplace saying, aphoristic, proverbial, phylacteric, axiomatic, gnomic, as the saying goes, as the saying is, as they say.

N  supposition, assumption, assumed position, postulation, condition, presupposition, hypothesis, blue sky hypothesis, postulate, postulatum, theory, thesis, theorem, data, proposition, position, proposal, presumption, divination, conjecture, guess, guesswork, speculation, rough guess, shot, shot in the dark, conjecturality, surmise, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, estimate, approximation (nearness), inkling, suggestion, hint, intimation, notion, impression, bare supposition, vague supposition, loose supposition, loose suggestion, association of ideas, (analogy), metonym, metonymy, simile (metaphor), conceit, idea, thought, original idea, invention (imagination), supposing, given, mooted, postulatory, assumed, supposititious, suppositive, suppositious, gratuitous, speculative, conjectural, hypothetical, theoretical, academic, supposable, presumptive, putative, suppositional, suggestive, allusive, if, if so be, an, on the supposition, ex hypothesi, in the case, in the event of, quasi, as if, provided, perhaps, for aught one knows.