摘要：“Axiom”源自希腊语“axiōma”，意为“被认为值得的事”或“公认的原则”，由“axios”（有价值的、值得的）和后缀“-ma”（结果、产物）组成。“Axios”与“axia”（价值）相关，暗示某事物因其重要性而被认可。“Axiōma”在古希腊哲学和数学

英 ['æksiəm] 美 ['æksiəm]

n.公理；格言；自明之理

“Axiom”源自希腊语“axiōma”，意为“被认为值得的事”或“公认的原则”，由“axios”（有价值的、值得的）和后缀“-ma”（结果、产物）组成。“Axios”与“axia”（价值）相关，暗示某事物因其重要性而被认可。“Axiōma”在古希腊哲学和数学中指无需证明的公理，如欧几里得几何中的基本假设。“Axiom”在16世纪通过拉丁语“axioma”进入英语，最初用于数学和逻辑，形容不证自明的真理，后扩展到哲学、科学和日常语言，描述普遍接受的原则。其核心意象围绕“真理”与“不可辩驳”。

◉外刊例句

① 《The Economist》 (2023年12月12日)

The axiom that markets always self-correct has been challenged by recent crises.

市场总是自我纠正的公理已被近期危机所挑战。

② 《The New York Times》 (2024年10月25日)

In science, the axiom of cause and effect underpins every experiment.

在科学中，因果关系的公理是每个实验的基础。

◉经典名著

《理性的时代》（The Age of Reason）——托马斯·佩因 (1794年)

The axiom that all men are born equal guides our pursuit of justice.

人生而平等的公理指引我们追求正义。

《名利场》（Vanity Fair）——威廉·梅克皮斯·萨克雷 (1848年)

She lived by the axiom that charm could open any door in society.

她信奉魅力能打开社会任何一扇门的公理。

◉Usage Examples

(1) It’s a very cliched and abused axiom.

(2) The concern about this axiom stemmed from the fact.

(3) I've never deviated from that axiom.

(4) This was not the axiom he wanted.

(1) 这简直就是陈词滥调和滥用公理。

(2) 对于这个公理的考虑是基于这样的事实。

(3) 我从来没有违背过这项原则。

(4) 他需要的可不是这种不言自明的道理。

◉Usage Notes

An axiom is a statement that everyone believes is true, such as "supply equals demand" or "the only constant is change." Mathematicians use axiom to refer to established proofs.

Many axioms are so widely used they become clichés—here's one to help you remember what the word means. Axioms are so widely accepted they're seen almost as facts. A police officer interrogating a witness might just as easily say, "Stick to the axioms," as "Stick to the facts, ma'am."

◉Colins

1[N-COUNT 可数名词]公理；原理 An axiom is a statement or idea which people accept as being true. [oft N that][FORMAL 正式]

...the long-held axiom that education leads to higher income.

教育会带来高收入这一长期公认的观念

来源：学无用的英语