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Definition of presume - 6 dictionary results
Presume
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pre⋅sume

  [pri-zoom] verb, -sumed, -sum⋅ing.
Use presume in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to take for granted, assume, or suppose: I presume you're tired after your drive.
2. Law. to assume as true in the absence of proof to the contrary.
3. to undertake with unwarrantable boldness.
4. to undertake (to do something) without right or permission: to presume to speak for another.
–verb (used without object)
5. to take something for granted; suppose.
6. to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.
7. to go too far in acting unwarrantably or in taking liberties (usually fol. by on or upon): Do not presume upon his tolerance.
Origin:
1300–50; ME presumen (< OF presumer) < L praesūmere to take beforehand (LL: take for granted, assume, dare), equiv. to prae- pre- + sūmere to take up, suppose (see consume )

Related forms:
pre⋅sum⋅ed⋅ly  [pri-zoo-mid-lee] , adverb
pre⋅sum⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. presuppose. 6. overstep.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To presume
pre·sume   (prĭ-zōōm')   
v.   pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing, pre·sumes

v.   tr.
  1. To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent.
  2. To constitute reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove: A signed hotel bill presumes occupancy of a room.
  3. To venture without authority or permission; dare: He presumed to invite himself to dinner.
v.   intr.
  1. To act overconfidently; take liberties.
  2. To take unwarranted advantage of something; go beyond the proper limits: Don't presume on their hospitality.
  3. To take for granted that something is true or factual; suppose: That's the new assistant, I presume.

[Middle English presumen, from Old French presumer, from Late Latin praesūmere, from Latin, to anticipate : prae-, pre- + sūmere, to take; see em- in Indo-European roots.]
pre·sum'ed·ly (-zōō'mĭd-lē) adv., pre·sum'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs signify to take something for granted or as being a fact. To presume is to suppose that something is reasonable or possible in the absence of proof to the contrary: "I presume you're tired after the long ride" (Edith Wharton).
Presuppose can mean to believe or suppose in advance: It is unrealistic to presuppose a sophisticated knowledge of harmony in a beginning music student.
Postulate and posit denote the assertion of the existence, reality, necessity, or truth of something as the basis for reasoning or argument: "We can see individuals, but we can't see providence; we have to postulate it" (Aldous Huxley).
To assume is to accept something as existing or being true without proof or on inconclusive grounds: "We must never assume that which is incapable of proof" (G.H. Lewes).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Presume

Pre*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Presuming.] [F. pr['e]sumer, L. praesumere, praesumptum; prae before + sumere to take. See Assume, Redeem.]

1. To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained.

Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? --Shak.

Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. --Milton.

2. To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose.

Every man is to be presumed innocent till he is proved to be guilty. --Blackstone.

What rests but that the mortal sentence pass, . . . Which he presumes already vain and void, Because not yet inflicted? --Milton.

Presume

Pre*sume"\, v. i. 1. To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far.

2. To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the ground of confidence.

Do not presume too much upon my love. --Shak.

This man presumes upon his parts. --Locke.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : presume
Spanish: presumir, suponer,
German: 'annehmen,
Japanese: 推定する
More Translations »

presume 
1375, "to take upon oneself, to take liberty," also "to take for granted, presuppose" (1377), from O.Fr. presumer (12c.), from L. præsumere (see presumption). Presumptive is recorded from 1561. The heir presumptive (1628) is "presumed" to be the heir if the heir apparent is unavailable.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pre·sume
Pronunciation: pri-'züm
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: pre·sumed; pre·sum·ing
: to suppose to be true without proof or before inquiry : accept as a presumption presume the defendant is innocent>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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