posit

American  

[poz-it] / ˈpɒz ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to place, put, or set.

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

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noun

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

posit British  

/ ˈpɒzɪt /

verb

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

2. to put in position

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noun

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

Etymology

Origin of posit

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

Example Sentences

White posits as one possible source of respite that most countries have similar issues, so if, for instance, investors are concerned about an unsustainable deficit in France, there aren’t so many great alternatives.

From MarketWatch

Mitchell posited that “the company tends to set a conservative guidance, allowing scope for ‘beat and raise’ in the quarters ahead.”

From Barron's

Following Buffon, Diderot posited three levels of life: the life of the entire animal, the life of each of its organs and the life of the molecule.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a note Tuesday, Jefferies analysts posited that tens of billions of dollars could flow into equity markets in the most optimistic case.

From Barron's

A recent Stanford study published posited that "the very nature of open-model releases enables better scrutiny" of the tech.

From Barron's

Related Words

• hypothesize
• postulate
• presuppose