dogmata

1 definition found

dogmata - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dogma \Dog"ma\ (d[o^]g"m[.a]), n.; pl. E. Dogmas
     (d[o^]g"m[.a]z), L. Dogmata (d[o^]g"m[.a]*t[.a]). [L.
     dogma, Gr. do`gma, pl. do`gmata, fr. dokei^n to think, seem,
     appear; akin to L. decet it is becoming. Cf. Decent.]
     1. That which is held as an opinion; a tenet; a doctrine.
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              The obscure and loose dogmas of early antiquity. --
                                                    Whewell.
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     2. A formally stated and authoritatively settled doctrine; a
        definite, established, and authoritative tenet.
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     3. A doctrinal notion asserted without regard to evidence or
        truth; an arbitrary dictum.
  
     Syn: tenet; opinion; proposition; doctrine.
  
     Usage: -- Dogma, Tenet. A tenet is that which is
            maintained as true with great firmness; as, the tenets
            of our holy religion. A dogma is that which is laid
            down with authority as indubitably true, especially a
            religious doctrine; as, the dogmas of the church. A
            tenet rests on its own intrinsic merits or demerits; a
            dogma rests on authority regarded as competent to
            decide and determine. Dogma has in our language
            acquired, to some extent, a repulsive sense, from its
            carrying with it the idea of undue authority or
            assumption. This is more fully the case with its
            derivatives dogmatical and dogmatism.
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