to suggest a theory, idea, etc. as a basic principle from which a further idea is formed or developed

[ + that ] It was the Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, who postulated that the earth was at the centre of the universe. 是希腊天文学家托勒密假定地球是宇宙的中心。

an idea that is suggested or accepted as a basic principle before a further idea is formed or developed from it