axiom

noun
/ˈak.sɪ.əm/UK/ˈæk.si.əm/US/ˈæk.ʃəm/

Etymology

From Middle French axiome in the 15th century, from Latin axiōma (“axiom; principle”), from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα (axíōma, “that which is thought to fit, a requisite, that which a pupil is required to know beforehand, a self-evident principle”), from ἀξιόω (axióō, “to think fit or worthy, to require, to demand”), from ἄξιος (áxios, “fit, worthy”, literally “weighing as much as; of like value”), from ἄγω (ágō, “to weigh (down)”).

  1. derived from ἀξίωμα
  2. derived from axiōma
  3. derived from axiome

Definitions

  1. A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption

    A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption; a principle or proposition which cannot actually be proved or disproved.

    • Near-synonyms: given, facticity
  2. A fundamental assumption that serves as a basis for deduction of theorems

    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).

    • Holonym: formal system
    • Near-synonyms: given, facticity
    • […] Geometry, an excellent Logic, as you obſerve, where the definitions are clear, where the Poſtulata cannot be refuſed, nor the Axioms denied; […]
  3. An established principle in some artistic practice or science that is universally…

    An established principle in some artistic practice or science that is universally received.

    • The axioms of political economy cannot be considered absolute truths.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

A definitional loop anchored at axiom. Each word in the ring is defined by the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself. Scroll to it and watch.

01axiom02principle03assumption04postulate05axioms

A definitional loop anchored at axiom. Each word in the ring appears in the definition of the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself.

5 hops · closes at axiom

curated · pre-corpus. live cycle detection across the full graph is the next major milestone.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA