n.; pl. E. Dogmas L. Dogmata [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure and loose dogmas of early antiquity. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A formally stated and authoritatively settled doctrine; a definite, established, and authoritative tenet. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A doctrinal notion asserted without regard to evidence or truth; an arbitrary dictum.

Syn. -- tenet; opinion; proposition; doctrine. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One of an ancient sect of physicians who went by general principles; -- opposed to the Empiric.

{ } a. [ L. dogmaticus, Gr. dogmatiko`s, fr. do`gma: cf. F. dogmatique. ] 1. Pertaining to a dogma, or to an established and authorized doctrine or tenet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Asserting a thing positively and authoritatively; positive; magisterial; hence, arrogantly authoritative; overbearing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Critics write in a positive, dogmatic way. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ They ] are as assertive and dogmatical as if they were omniscient. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dogmatic theology. Same as Dogmatics.

Syn. -- Magisterial; arrogant. See Magisterial. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a dogmatic manner; positively; magisterially. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being dogmatical; positiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A dogmatist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science which treats of Christian doctrinal theology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The manner or character of a dogmatist; arrogance or positiveness in stating opinion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The self-importance of his demeanor, and the dogmatism of his conversation. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dogmatistes, Gr. &unr_; , fr. &unr_;. ] One who dogmatizes; one who speaks dogmatically; a bold and arrogant advancer of principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

I expect but little success of all this upon the dogmatist; his opinioned assurance is paramount to argument. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To deliver as a dogma. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]