The 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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