axiom of choice
- Etymology
- Compound. One of the fundamental axioms of set theory.
- Head axiom
- From axiom (q.v.).
- Modifier of choice
- The act of selecting. From Old English ceosan.
- Origin
- Zermelo 1904. Set theory.
- Meaning
- Asserts the existence of a choice function for families of non-empty sets.
- Earliest use
- Zermelo 1904.
- Definition
- A fundamental axiom of set theory. Asserts the existence of a choice function that selects one element from each set in a family of non-empty sets. Zermelo 1904.