Dogma, n.; pl. E. Dogmas, L. Dogmata.
Etymology: [L. dogma, Gr. pl. , fr. 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. 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. -- 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dogma; he lists it under doctrine.
Where he writes about it:
A doctrine is reasoned out, and may be defended by reasoning; a dogma rests on authority, as of direct revelation, the decision of the church, etc. — from doctrine
A doctrine or dogma is a statement of some one item of belief; a creed is a summary of doctrines or dogmas. — from doctrine
Dogma has commonly, at the present day, an offensive signification, as of a belief arrogantly asserted. — from doctrine