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Definition of presuppose - 4 dictionary results

pre⋅sup⋅pose

  [pree-suh-pohz]
Use presuppose in a Sentence
–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  [pree-suhp-uh-zish-uhn] , noun
pre⋅sup⋅po⋅si⋅tion⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. presume.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pre·sup·pose   (prē'sə-pōz')   
tr.v.   pre·sup·posed, pre·sup·pos·ing, pre·sup·pos·es
  1. To believe or suppose in advance.
  2. 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.
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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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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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presuppose 
1426, from O.Fr. presupposer (14c.), from M.L. præsupponere; see pre- + suppose.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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