adjective affording ground for presumption : presumptive evidence. based on likelihood or presumption: a presumptive title; the presumptive nominee.
regarded as such by presumption; based on inference.
Embryology pertaining to the part of an embryo that, in the course of normal development, will predictably become a particular structure or region.
Origin of presumptive From the
Late Latin word
praesūmptīvus, dating back to
1555–65. See
presumption ,
-ive Related forms pre·sump·tive·ly , adverb non·pre·sump·tive , adjective non·pre·sump·tive·ly , adverb o·ver·pre·sump·tive , adjective o·ver·pre·sump·tive·ly , adverb un·pre·sump·tive , adjective un·pre·sump·tive·ly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for presumptive Contemporary Examples of presumptive These groups turn out in greater numbers in presidential elections, giving Democrats a presumptive advantage heading into 2016.
The spotlight will soon fix itself on the presumptive Democratic 2016 nominee, whose name, I think, we all know.
Whoever wins that primary will still be an underdog against the presumptive Democratic nominee, Rep. Bruce Braley.
The presumptive Democratic nominee is Rep. Bruce Braley, a four-term congressman from northeast Iowa.
Her presumptive Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, has already raised nearly $21 million.
Historical Examples of presumptive The judge would then qualify the crime, and decide who was the presumptive culprit.
But the presumptive evidence is so strong that it is hardly needed.
But while you have no certainty of this, there is a presumptive argument on the other side.
And thus the truth which it apprehends is at first only presumptive .
But we have to note that such value-standards are only presumptive .
British Dictionary definitions for presumptive adjective based on presumption or probability
affording reasonable ground for belief
of or relating to embryonic tissues that become differentiated into a particular tissue or organ presumptive epidermis
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Derived Forms presumptively , adverb presumptiveness , noun Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for presumptive adj. "speculative," mid-15c., from French présomptif (15c.), from Medieval Latin presumptivus , from Late Latin praesumptivus , from Latin praesumpt- past participle stem of praesumere (see presume ). The heir presumptive (1620s) is "presumed" to be the heir if the heir apparent is unavailable. Related: Presumptively .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
