Definition of: axiom

(ak′sē·əm) noun
1. A self-evident or universally recognized truth.
2. An established principle or rule.
3. Logic & Math. A proposition assumed to be true without proof. [<F axiome <L axioma <Gk. axiōma a thing thought worthy, a self-evident thing <axioein think worthy <axios worthy] Synonym: truism. Both the axiom and the truism are instantly seen to be true, and need no proof; but in an axiom there is progress of thought, while the truism simply says what is too manifest to need saying. Hence the axiom is valuable and useful, while the truism is weak and flat. Compare ADAGE, PROVERB. Antonyms: absurdity, contradiction, demonstration, nonsense, paradox, sophism.