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presumption

[pri-zuhmp-shuhn]
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noun

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Assume vs. PresumeThe words assume and presume both mean that you take something for granted as being true, but the difference is based on how certain you are. Assume is typically used in situations where someone takes something as the truth with a very low level of certainty or with no proof at all. Presume usually involves a higher level of certainty and is used in situations …
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RELATED WORDS

likelihood, assumption, suspicion, premise, supposition, assurance, chance, conjecture, anticipation, shot, probability, basis, guess, presupposition, plausibility, reason, postulation, stab, thesis, posit

Nearby words

  1. presumable,
  2. presumably,
  3. presume,
  4. presumed ocular histoplasmosis,
  5. presuming,
  6. presumption of fact,
  7. presumption of innocence,
  8. presumption of law,
  9. presumption of survivorship,
  10. presumptive

Origin of presumption

1175–1225; Middle English: effrontery, supposition < Latin praesūmptiōn- (stem of praesūmptiō) anticipation, supposition, Late Latin: presumptuousness, equivalent to praesūmpt(us) (past participle of praesūmere to undertake beforehand; see presume) + -iōn- -ion
Related formso·ver·pre·sump·tion, noun
Can be confusedassumption axiom premise presumption
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for presumption

British Dictionary definitions for presumption

presumption

noun

the act of presuming
bold or insolent behaviour or manners
a belief or assumption based on reasonable evidence
a ground or basis on which to presume
law an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved, admitted, or judicially noticed

Word Origin for presumption

C13: via Old French from Latin praesumptiō a using in advance, anticipation, from praesūmere to take beforehand; see presume
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for presumption

presumption

n.

mid-13c., "seizure and occupation without right," also "taking upon oneself more than is warranted," from Old French presumcion (12c., Modern French présomption) and directly from Late Latin praesumptionem (nominative praesumptio) "confidence, audacity," in classical Latin, "a taking for granted, anticipation," noun of action from past participle stem of praesumere "to take beforehand," from prae "before" (see pre-) + sumere "to take" (see exempt (adj.)). In English, the meaning "the taking of something for granted" is attested from c.1300. Presumptuous preserves the older sense.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper