axiom

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

From Middle French axiome, from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα (aksiōma).

[edit] Noun

Singular
axiom

Plural
axioms or axiomata

axiom (plural axioms or axiomata)

  1. (philosophy) A self-evident and necessary truth; a proposition which it is necessary to take for granted; a proposition whose truth is so evident that no reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer.
    • 1999, Bertrand Russell, Charles R. Pigden, Russell on Ethics[1]:
      Can we then find axioms as self-evident as those of Arithmetic, on which we can build as on a sure foundation, which could be shaken only by a scepticism which should attack the whole fabric of our knowledge?
  2. (mathematics) A fundamental theorem that serves as a basis for deduction of other theorems. E.g., "A point has no mass; a line has no width. A plane is a flat surface with no mass and contains an infinity of points and lines".
  3. An established principle in some art or science that is universally received.
The axioms of political economy cannot be considered absolute truths.

[edit] Usage notes

An alternative plural form axiomata is very rare usage in English.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] See also

[edit] Translations


[edit] Czech

[edit] Noun

axiom m.

  1. axiom

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms


[edit] Swedish

[edit] Noun

Inflection for axiom Singular Plural
neuter Indefinite Definite Indefinite Definite
Nominative axiom axiomet axiom axiomen
Genitive axioms axiomets axioms axiomens

axiom n.

  1. axiom
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