presumption

[ pri-zuhmp-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of presuming. presuming.
2. assumption of something as true.
3. belief on reasonable grounds or probable evidence.
4. something that is presumed; an assumption.
5. a ground or reason for presuming presuming or believing.
6. Law. an inference required or permitted by law as to the existence of one fact from proof of the existence of other facts.
7. an assumption, often not fully established, that is taken for granted in some piece of reasoning.
8. unwarrantable, unbecoming, or impertinent boldness.

   Synonyms: gall, arrogance, effrontery, audacity

presumption

/ prɪˈzʌmpʃən /

noun

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

Other Words From

• over·pre·sumption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumption¹

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; presume ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumption¹

C13: via Old French from Latin praesumptiō a using in advance, anticipation, from praesūmere to take beforehand; see presume

Example Sentences

Leaving aside the meritless presumption of the government’s own trustworthiness and that it is the software that has trust issues, the order is almost entirely hot air.

From TechCrunch

If you start out on the presumption that you don’t, then you’ll design a mission with limited communications capability.

From Quanta Magazine

“The presumption is always in favor of severability,” Barrett said.

From Washington Post

These license applications “will be reviewed by OFAC on a case-by-case basis with a presumption of denial,” the Treasury notice said.

From Fortune

The law “creates a presumption” that a public official charged with corruption can’t get pretrial intervention, Rabner wrote.

From ProPublica

Perhaps that presumption was misguided, but more on that later.

From The Daily Beast

My wish is that you choose to give others the same presumption of good faith that you want to be given.

From The Daily Beast

So far, we seem to be enjoying the presumption of innocence.

From The Daily Beast

The effect of this was to deny the boys the presumption of innocence, since—after all—adults are responsible for their actions.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately for him, that made his public presumption of innocence far less effective.

From The Daily Beast

O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?

From Project Gutenberg

The presumption of law favors a patent, and the burden of proof is on the one attacking it to show that it is not useful.

From Project Gutenberg

"The mountain deities were angered at your presumption," nodded Kano, well pleased.

From Project Gutenberg

The specific appropriation of some distinctive oath raised the presumption that it implied an unequivocal pledge of sincerity.

From Project Gutenberg

The former has not been the effect of presumption, nor does the latter proceed from any want of confidence in your friendship.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assumption
• likelihood
• premise
• supposition
• suspicion