presupposition

[pree-suhp-uh-zish-uhn]

noun

1. something that is assumed in advance or taken for granted.

   The conflict could have been avoided if the speakers had openly acknowledged the presuppositions that each of them brought to the discussion.

Other Word Forms

• presuppositionless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of presupposition¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin presupposition-, stem of presuppositio, equivalent to Latin praesupposit(us) (past participle of praesupponere ) + -iō -ion ( def. ); presuppose ( def. )

Example Sentences

Macron praised EU talks as a “good debate” but said that by the time rules are released, “we’ll have regulated on presuppositions and knowledge that are almost already obsolete.”

Read more on Seattle Times

But Joseph Epstein, the former editor of The American Scholar, called it “a catalog of revisionist presuppositions, assumptions and notions” and “scarcely more than a checklist of Walter Lippmann’s opinions.”

Read more on New York Times

I believe the contrary: most leopard-human conflict originates with the presupposition of conflict.

Read more on Scientific American

Mr. Corcoran said the fanfare infringes on his right to a fair trial unblemished by outside findings and presuppositions formed from the public hearings.

Read more on Washington Times

Before the trial commenced, Mr. Corcoran said the fanfare infringes on his right to a fair trial unblemished by outside findings and presuppositions formed from the public hearings.

Read more on Washington Times