1436, "to receive up into heaven" (especially of the Virgin Mary, e.g. Feast of the Assumption, celebrated Aug. 15, attested from 1297), from L. assumere "to take up," from ad- "to, up" + sumere "to take," from sub "under" + emere "to take" (see exempt). Early pp. was assumpt. Meaning "to suppose" is first recorded 1598. In rhetorical usage, assume expresses what the assumer postulates, often as a confessed hypothesis; presume expresses what the presumer really believes.
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof; "I assume his train was late"
2.
take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities; "When will the new President assume office?"
3.
take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "His voice took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables"
4.
take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person; "I'll accept the charges"; "She agreed to bear the responsibility" [syn: bear]
5.
occupy or take on; "He assumes the lotus position"; "She took her seat on the stage"; "We took our seats in the orchestra"; "She took up her position behind the tree"; "strike a pose"
6.
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died"
7.
make a pretence of; "She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep" [syn: simulate]
8.
take up someone's soul into heaven; "This is the day when May was assumed into heaven"
9.
put clothing on one's body; "What should I wear today?"; "He put on his best suit for the wedding"; "The princess donned a long blue dress"; "The queen assumed the stately robes"; "He got into his jeans" [syn: wear]
As*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuming.] [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See Redeem.]1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly. Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne. --Pope. The god assumed his native form again. --Pope. 2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. The consequences of assumed principles. --Whewell. 3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance. Ambition assuming the mask of religion. --Porteus. Assume a virtue, if you have it not. --Shak. 4. To receive or adopt. The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. --Sir W. Scott. Syn: To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.
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