<dl>
	        <dt><tspan class="blue_term">axiom</tspan> (ˈæksɪəm) <em>noun</em></dt>
	        <dt class = "numbering">1</dt>
	        <dd>a generally accepted proposition or principle, sanctioned by experience; maxim</dd>
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	        <dt class = "numbering">2</dt>
	        <dd>a universally established principle or law that is not a necessary truth: <em>the axioms of politics</em></dd>
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	        <dt class = "numbering">3</dt>
	        <dd>a self-evident statement.</dd>
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	        <dt class = "numbering">4</dt>
	        <dd><em>logic</em>,&nbsp;<em>maths</em> a statement or formula that is stipulated tp be true for the purpose of a chain of reasoning: the foundation of a formal deductive system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Compare <strong>assumption</strong>&nbsp;(sense 4)</dd>
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	        <dt class = "circle">∙&nbsp;<strong>ETYMOLOGY</strong></dt>
	        <dd>C15: from Latin <em>axi&omacr;ma</em> a principle, from Greek, from <em>axioun</em> to consider worthy, from <em>axios</em> worthy<a name = "referenced_material_i" href="#footnote_i">[1]</a>.</dd>
 
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