Dictionary

postulatory en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˌpɑstjʊˈleɪtəɹi/ (US)
• /ˌpɒstjʊˈleɪtəɹi/ (UK)
• /ˈpɑstjʊləˌtɔɹi/ (US)

Etymology

Latin postulātōrius.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, usually) Of the nature of a postulate.
   • Whoever shall peruse the phytognomy of Porta and strictly observe how vegetable realities are forced into animal representations, may perceive the semblance is but postulatory. 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
   • How intensely postulatory these axioms are, is best seen when we consider what is too often neglected, viz. the limits of their use. The unchanging is the uncaused; no reason is required for that which is ‘self-evident.’ But, psychologically, everything is self-evident which provokes no question, and what alone would be absolutely self-evident would be the absolutely satisfactory. Thus the only complete logical truth would be one which left no room for further questions by reason of its absolute psychological satisfactoriness. 1902, Henry Cecil Sturt, Personal Idealism, Axioms as Postulates:
2. (not-comparable, usually) Supplicatory.
   • The documents attested more than 400 miracles or extraordinary graces, and thirty postulatory letters from archbishops and bishops in France besought the beatification from the Holy See. 1913, “St. Germaine Cousin”, in Catholic Encyclopedia (1913):
   • postulatory prayers

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