posit

[poz-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to place, put, or set.

2. to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate.

noun

1. something that is posited; an assumption; postulate.

posit

/ ˈpɒzɪt /

verb

1. to assume or put forward as fact or the factual basis for an argument; postulate

2. to put in position

noun

1. a fact, idea, etc, that is posited; assumption

Word History and Origins

Origin of posit¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin positus, past participle of pōnere “to place, put”

Word History and Origins

Origin of posit¹

C17: from Latin pōnere to place, position

Example Sentences

The action, if such it can be called, begins on the eve of a world championship, when matches, the musical posits, were a proxy war between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He called it a strange game and posited the theory that the 2-1 win against Belarus last month, when Scotland were booed off, was a better three points than people imagined.

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James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling’s “broken windows” theory posited that crime is more than a willful act—it’s the product of a cultural atmosphere.

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Atwood posits that “every question-and-answer session” is an illusion where there are “at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“West End Girl” and the public’s ensuing reaction posit that it might be possible.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• hypothesize 
• postulate 
• presuppose