The obscure and loose dogmas of early antiquity. --
Whewell.
2. A formally stated and authoritatively settled doctrine; a
definite, established, and authoritative tenet.
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.