theorem

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: the=o=rem

CIDE DICTIONARY

theorem, n. [L. theorema, Gr. a sight, speculation, theory, theorem, fr. to look at, a spectator: cf. F. théorème. See Theory.].

•  That which is considered and established as a principle; hence, sometimes, a rule.  [1913 Webster]

  "Not theories, but theorems ("  [1913 Webster]

  "By the theorems,
  Which your polite and terser gallants practice,
  I re-refine the court, and civilize
  Their barbarous natures."  [1913 Webster]
•  A statement of a principle to be demonstrated.  [1913 Webster]

  " A theorem is something to be proved, and is thus distinguished from a problem, which is something to be solved. In analysis, the term is sometimes applied to a rule, especially a rule or statement of relations expressed in a formula or by symbols; as, the binomial theorem; Taylor's theorem. See the Note under Proposition, n., 5."  [1913 Webster]

Binomial theorem. (Math.) See under Binomial. -- Negative theorem, a theorem which expresses the impossibility of any assertion. -- Particular theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends only to a particular quantity. -- Theorem of Pappus. (Math.) See Centrobaric method, under Centrobaric. -- Universal theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends to any quantity without restriction.

theorem, v. t. 

 To formulate into a theorem.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

theorem, n. esp. Math.
1 a general proposition not self-evident but proved by a chain of reasoning; a truth established by means of accepted truths (cf. PROBLEM).
2 a rule in algebra etc., esp. one expressed by symbols or formulae (binomial theorem).

Derivative

theorematic adj.

Etymology

F th{eacute}or{egrave}me or LL theorema f. Gk theorema speculation, proposition f. theoreo look at

THESAURUS

theorem

a priori principle, a priori truth, affirmation, apriorism, assertion, assumed position, assumption, axiom, basis, brocard, categorical proposition, conjecture, data, deduction, dictate, dictum, first principles, formula, foundation, fundamental, golden rule, ground, hypothesis, hypothesis ad hoc, law, lemma, major premise, minor premise, philosopheme, philosophical proposition, position, postulate, postulation, postulatum, premise, presupposition, principium, principle, proposition, propositional function, rule, self-evident truth, settled principle, statement, sumption, supposal, thesis, truism, truth, truth table, truth-function, truth-value, universal truth

ROGET THESAURUS

theorem

Topic

N topic, subject of thought, material for thought, food for the mind, mental pabulum, subject, subject matter, matter, theme, noemata, topic, what it is about, thesis, text, business, affair, matter in hand, argument, motion, resolution, head, chapter, case, point, proposition, theorem, field of inquiry, moot point, problem, thought of, uppermost in the mind, in petto, under consideration, in question, in the mind, on foot, on the carpet, on the docket, on the tapis, relative to.

Maxim

N maxim, aphorism, apothegm, apophthegm, dictum, saying, adage, saw, proverb, sentence, mot, motto, word, byword, moral, phylactery, protasis, axiom, theorem, scholium, truism, postulate, first principles, a priori fact, assumption (supposition), reflection, conclusion, golden rule, principle, principia, profession of faith, settled principle, accepted principle, formula, accepted fact, received truth, wise maxim, sage maxim, received maxim, admitted maxim, recognized maxim, true saying, common saying, hackneyed saying, trite saying, commonplace saying, aphoristic, proverbial, phylacteric, axiomatic, gnomic, as the saying goes, as the saying is, as they say.

Supposition

N supposition, assumption, assumed position, postulation, condition, presupposition, hypothesis, blue sky hypothesis, postulate, postulatum, theory, thesis, theorem, data, proposition, position, proposal, presumption, divination, conjecture, guess, guesswork, speculation, rough guess, shot, shot in the dark, conjecturality, surmise, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, estimate, approximation (nearness), inkling, suggestion, hint, intimation, notion, impression, bare supposition, vague supposition, loose supposition, loose suggestion, association of ideas, (analogy), metonym, metonymy, simile (metaphor), conceit, idea, thought, original idea, invention (imagination), supposing, given, mooted, postulatory, assumed, supposititious, suppositive, suppositious, gratuitous, speculative, conjectural, hypothetical, theoretical, academic, supposable, presumptive, putative, suppositional, suggestive, allusive, if, if so be, an, on the supposition, ex hypothesi, in the case, in the event of, quasi, as if, provided, perhaps, for aught one knows.