Postuler l'existence de quelque chose

English translation: postulated its existence

02:32 Oct 1, 2008
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Journalism
French term or phrase: Postuler l'existence de quelque chose
I have never before come across this expression, I understand it as "claiming the existence of something" but would like your feedback. I found it in an article in "Le Monde". I've pasted a paragraph below. The article talks about particle physics. Thanks for your help!!


Ils rêvent, en particulier, de découvrir la nature de la matière noire et de l'énergie sombre, qui constituent 96 % de l'Univers, la matière visible n'en représentant que 4 %. De percer le secret de l'antimatière, produite d'après la théorie en quantité égale à celle de la matière, mais dont il ne reste pas trace. Et surtout, de mettre la main sur le boson de Higgs, parfois surnommé la "particule divine", qui donnerait leur masse aux choses mais que personne n'a encore observée, 44 ans après que le chercheur qui lui a donné son nom a postulé son existence.
Valosh
English translation:postulated its existence
Explanation:
Formulated the hypothesis that this particle existed based on the data available to him without however a formal "proof" that it truly existed. 44 years later, the "proof" is still to come...

See for instance:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/physics-04s.html
Fermilab Results Change Estimated Mass Of Postulated Higgs Boson
Particle physicists predict the existence of a heavy particle, the Higgs boson, which interacts with particles of matter to give them their characteristic masses. However, despite attempts at particle accelerator experiments to observe the Higgs, no one has yet detected its existence.
While scientists have never observed the Higgs itself, they can predict its mass and other characteristics by making precise observations of known particles with which it presumably interacts. In particular, the masses of the top quark, discovered at Fermilab in 1995, and the W boson together constrain the mass of the Higgs.
Selected response from:

Jean-Louis S.
United States
Local time: 10:34
Grading comment
Thank you. It seems that my interpretation as "claimed its existence" is correct too. See: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postulate
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4postulated its existence
Jean-Louis S.
4To predict the existence of something
B D Finch
3assume such a thing as... exists/there is such a thing as
Euqinimod (X)


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
postulated its existence


Explanation:
Formulated the hypothesis that this particle existed based on the data available to him without however a formal "proof" that it truly existed. 44 years later, the "proof" is still to come...

See for instance:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/physics-04s.html
Fermilab Results Change Estimated Mass Of Postulated Higgs Boson
Particle physicists predict the existence of a heavy particle, the Higgs boson, which interacts with particles of matter to give them their characteristic masses. However, despite attempts at particle accelerator experiments to observe the Higgs, no one has yet detected its existence.
While scientists have never observed the Higgs itself, they can predict its mass and other characteristics by making precise observations of known particles with which it presumably interacts. In particular, the masses of the top quark, discovered at Fermilab in 1995, and the W boson together constrain the mass of the Higgs.

Jean-Louis S.
United States
Local time: 10:34
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you. It seems that my interpretation as "claimed its existence" is correct too. See: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postulate

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Patrice
1 hr
  -> Merci Patrice!

agree  Helen Shiner: This is exactly right, and a good explanation offered, too.
4 hrs
  -> Merci beaucoup Helen!

agree  Terry Richards
5 hrs
  -> Merci Terry!

agree  Rachel Ward
7 hrs
  -> Merci Rachel!
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
To predict the existence of something


Explanation:
Though jlsjr's answer gives very useful information about Higgs and his particle, I find the use of "postulate" somewhat strained and clunky.

The Peter Higgs fan club seems quite happy with the more mundane "predicted".

"15 Sep 2008 ... He is the theoretical physicist who has predicted the existence of a particle now known as the ‘Higgs boson’ which explains the origin of ..."
blogs.ft.com/mccartney/2008/09/15/the-professor-peter-higgs-fan-club/

B D Finch
France
Local time: 15:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
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17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
assume such a thing as... exists/there is such a thing as


Explanation:
Une proposition.

Euqinimod (X)
Local time: 15:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 8
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