A broad and basic rule or truth

• universal

  1. Of, relating to, or affecting the entire universe:
  2. Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration; applicable in all cases:
  3. Done, produced, or shared by all members of the class or group under consideration:

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  1. Of, relating to, or affecting the entire universe:
  2. Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration; applicable in all cases:
  3. Done, produced, or shared by all members of the class or group under consideration:

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• theorem

  1. An idea that has been demonstrated as true or is assumed to be so demonstrable.
  2. A proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.

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  1. An idea that has been demonstrated as true or is assumed to be so demonstrable.
  2. A proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.

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• principle

  1. A basic truth, law, or assumption:
  2. A rule or standard, especially of good behavior:
  3. The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments:

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  1. A basic truth, law, or assumption:
  2. A rule or standard, especially of good behavior:
  3. The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments:

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• law

  1. A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority.
  2. The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system:
  3. The condition of social order and justice created by adherence to such a system:

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  1. A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority.
  2. The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system:
  3. The condition of social order and justice created by adherence to such a system:

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• fundamental

  1. Of or relating to the foundation or base; elementary:
  2. Forming or serving as an essential component of a system or structure; central:
  3. Of great significance or entailing major change:

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  1. Of or relating to the foundation or base; elementary:
  2. Forming or serving as an essential component of a system or structure; central:
  3. Of great significance or entailing major change:

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A maxim

• aphorism

  1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage.
  2. A brief statement of a scientific principle.

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  1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage.
  2. A brief statement of a scientific principle.

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• adage

  1. A saying that sets forth a general truth and that has gained credit through long use.

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  1. A saying that sets forth a general truth and that has gained credit through long use.

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• saying

  1. Something, such as an adage or maxim, that is said.

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  1. Something, such as an adage or maxim, that is said.

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• maxim

  1. A succinct formulation of a fundamental principle, general truth, or rule of conduct.

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  1. A succinct formulation of a fundamental principle, general truth, or rule of conduct.

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A proposition assumed to be true

• postulate

  1. To assume or assert the truth, reality, or necessity of, especially as a basis of an argument:
  2. To propose as a hypothesis or explanation:
  3. To assume as a premise or axiom; take for granted.

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  1. To assume or assert the truth, reality, or necessity of, especially as a basis of an argument:
  2. To propose as a hypothesis or explanation:
  3. To assume as a premise or axiom; take for granted.

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• assumption

  1. The act of taking to or upon oneself:
  2. The act of taking possession or asserting a claim:
  3. The act of taking for granted:

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  1. The act of taking to or upon oneself:
  2. The act of taking possession or asserting a claim:
  3. The act of taking for granted:

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• premise

  1. A proposition upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn.
  2. One of the propositions in a deductive argument.
  3. Either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

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  1. A proposition upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn.
  2. One of the propositions in a deductive argument.
  3. Either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

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