presuppose - Definitions from Dictionary.com

5 results for: presuppose

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pre·sup·pose

Audio Help [pree-suh-pohz] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -posed, -pos·ing.

1.	to suppose or assume beforehand; take for granted in advance.

2.	(of a thing, condition, or state of affairs) to require or imply as an antecedent condition: An effect presupposes a cause.

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < MF presupposer. See pre-, suppose

]

—Related forms

pre·sup·po·si·tion

Audio Help [pree-suhp-uh-zish-uh

n] Pronunciation Key, noun

pre·sup·po·si·tion·less, adjective

—Synonyms 1. presume.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
presuppose

To learn more about presuppose visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pre·sup·pose Audio Help (prē'sə-pōz') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. pre·sup·posed, pre·sup·pos·ing, pre·sup·pos·es

To believe or suppose in advance.
To require or involve necessarily as an antecedent condition. See Synonyms at presume.

pre·sup'po·si'tion (-sŭp'ə-zĭsh'ən) n., pre·sup'po·si'tion·al adj.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
presuppose

1426, from O.Fr. presupposer (14c.), from M.L. præsupponere; see pre- + suppose.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

presuppose
verb
1.	take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand; "I presuppose that you have done your work"
2.	require as a necessary antecedent or precondition; "This step presupposes two prior ones"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Presuppose

Pre`sup*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presupposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Presupposing.] [Pref. pre- + suppose: cf. F. pr['e]supposer.] To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator.

Each [kind of knowledge] presupposes many necessary things learned in other sciences, and known beforehand. --Hooker.

Browse Nearby Entries: