Dog"ma (d&obreve;g"m&adot;), n.; pl. E. Dogmas (-m&adot;z), L. Dogmata (-m&adot;*t&adot;). [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.

The obscure and loose dogmas of early antiquity.

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. -- 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.

• A doctrine or a set of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner by a church.
  
• An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true.