Infer vs Postulate - What's the difference?
infer | postulate |
To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
* 2010 , "Keep calm, but don't carry on", The Economist , 7 Oct 2010:
To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. (Now often considered incorrect, especially with a person as subject.)
*, II.3:
* Shakespeare
* Sir Thomas More
(obsolete) To cause, inflict (something) (upon) or (to) someone.
* 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.8:
(obsolete) To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in.
* Shakespeare
Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument.
A fundamental element; a basic principle.
(logic) An axiom.
A requirement; a prerequisite.
To assume as a truthful or accurate premise or axiom, especially as a basis of an argument.
* 1883 , , Prop. XXII,
* 1911 , Encyclopædia Britannica , "",
(ambitransitive, Christianity, historical) To appoint or request one's appointment to an ecclesiastical office.
* 1874 , John Small (ed.), The Poetical Works of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld , Vol 1,
(ambitransitive, obsolete) To request, demand or claim for oneself.
As a verb infer
is to introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.As a noun postulate is
.infer
English
Verb
(inferr)- It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.
- These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre .
- This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
- The first part is not the proof of the second, but rather contrariwise, the second inferreth well the first.
- faire Serena.
- Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.
Usage notes
There are two ways in which the word "infer" is sometimes used as if it meant "imply". "Implication" is done by a person when making a "statement", whereas "inference" is done to a proposition after it had already been made or assumed. Secondly, the word "infer" can sometimes be used to mean "allude" or "express" in a suggestive manner rather than as a direct "statement". Using the word "infer" in this sense is now generally considered incorrect.[http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000232.htm
Synonyms
* assume, conclude, deduce, construeAnagrams
* ----postulate
English
(wikipedia postulate)Noun
(en noun)Verb
(postulat)- But this pleasure or pain is postulated to come to us accompanied by the idea of an external cause;
- [T]he attempt to arrive at a physical explanation of existence led the Ionian thinkers to postulate various primal elements or simply the infinite ?? ???????.
p. xvi
- [A]lthough Douglas was postulated to it [the Abbacy of Arbroath], and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination was never completed.