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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

axiom

Noun

IPA /ˈæksiəm/

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Meaning in plain English

A principle accepted as true and used as a starting point for thinking.

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Pronunciation

axiom/ˈæksiəm/

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  1. A principle is accepted as true

  2. Further reasoning starts from it

An axiom is a principle accepted as a starting point for reasoning.

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  1. She lives by the axiom that small daily efforts add up.
  2. The tutor asked us to question an axiom behind the argument.

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She lives by the ________ that small daily efforts add up.
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axiom — A principle accepted as true and used as a starting point for thinking.

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A principle accepted as true and used as a starting point for thinking.

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Word origin

Ultimately from Greek axioma, meaning something thought fitting, related to axios, worthy.

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An axiom that something is true introduces the principle being accepted.

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axiom

/ˈæksiəm/ (Noun)

“Formal: an axiom is an accepted starting point. In everyday arguments, acceptance does not by itself prove a claim.”

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