presupposition

[ pree-suhp-uh-zish-uhn ]
See synonyms for presupposition on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of presupposition

1
First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin presupposition-, stem of presuppositio, equivalent to Latin praesupposit(us) (past participle of praesupponere ) + -iō -ion; see presuppose

Other words from presupposition

  • pre·sup·po·si·tion·less, adjective

Words Nearby presupposition

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use presupposition in a sentence

  • That matter lasts and cannot disappear is such a presupposition, which comes to us with the necessity of logical thinking.

    Psychotherapy | Hugo Mnsterberg
  • By “presupposition” is meant a fundamental principle which the psychologist always has in mind.

    The Science of Human Nature | William Henry Pyle
  • If that scientific presupposition is absent from Magic and from Religion, it is implicitly present in mechanical behaviour.

  • For every human presupposition and declaration has as much authority one as another, if reason do not make the difference.

    The Essays of Montaigne, Complete | Michel de Montaigne
  • To those that contend upon presupposition we must, on the contrary, presuppose to them the same axiom upon which the dispute is.

    The Essays of Montaigne, Complete | Michel de Montaigne