predication

[L. praedicatio: cf. F. prédication.]

1. The act of predicating, or of affirming one thing of another; affirmation; assertion. Locke.

2. Preaching. [Obs. or Scot.] Chaucer.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (logic) a declaration of something self-evident; something that can be assumed as the basis for argument
  Synonym: postulation