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Webster 1913 Edition

Presumption

Pre-sump′tion

(?; 215)
,
Noun.
[L.
praesumptio
: cf. F.
présomption
, OF. also
presumpcion
. See
Presume
.]
1.
The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof.
2.
Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition;
as, the
presumption
is that an event has taken place
.
3.
That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is probable but not conclusive.
“In contradiction to these very plausible presumptions.”
De Quincey.
4.
The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery.
Thy son I killed for his
presumption
.
Shakespeare
I had the
presumption
to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece.
Dryden.
Conclusive presumption
.
See under
Conclusive
.
–
Presumption of fact
(Law)
,
an argument of a fact from a fact; an inference as to the existence of one fact not certainly known, from the existence of some other fact known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of something, without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief.
Burrill.
Best.
Wharton.
–
Presumption of law
(Law)
,
a postulate applied in advance to all cases of a particular class; e. g., the presumption of innocence and of regularity of records. Such a presumption is rebuttable or irrebuttable.

Webster 1828 Edition

Presumption

PRESUMP'TION

,
Noun.
[L. proesumption.]
1.
Supposition of the truth or real existence of something without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief. Presumption in law is of three sorts, violent or strong, probable, and light.
Next to positive proof, circumstantial evidence or the doctrine of presumptions must take place; for when the fact cannot be demonstratively evinced, that which comes nearest to the proof of the fact is the proof of such circumstances as either necessarily or usually attend such facts. These are called presumptions. Violent presumption is many times equal to full proof.
2.
Strong probability; as in the common phrase, the presumption is that an event has taken place, or will take place.
3.
Blind or headstrong confidence; unreasonable adventurousness; a venturing to undertake something without reasonable prospect of success, or against the usual probabilities of safety; presumptuousness.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath.
I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished price.
4.
Arrogance. He had the presumption to attempt to dictate to the council.
5.
Unreasonable confidence in divine favor.
The awe of his majesty will keep us from presumption.

Definition 2024

presumption

presumption

English

Noun

presumption ‎(plural presumptions)

  1. the act of presuming, or something presumed
    • De Quincey
      in contradiction to these very plausible presumptions
  2. the belief of something based upon reasonable evidence, or upon something known to be true
    The presumption is that an event has taken place.
  3. the condition upon which something is presumed
  4. (dated) arrogant behaviour; the act of venturing beyond due bounds of reverence or respect
    • Shakespeare
      Thy son I killed for his presumption.
    • Dryden
      I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece.

Synonyms

Translations

Middle French

Noun

presumption f (plural presumptions)

  1. assumption

Descendants

References

  • presomption on Dictionnaire du Moyen Français (1330-1500) (in French)

Old French

Etymology

First known attestation circa 1180 in Anglo-Norman as presumpsion. Borrowing from Latin praesumptiō[1].

Noun

presumption f ‎(oblique plural presumptions, nominative singular presumption, nominative plural presumptions)

  1. (often law) presumption (something which is presumed)

Descendants

References

  1. ↑ (fr)(de) praesumptiō in Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch (Walther von Wartburg, 2002)

Etymology

From Middle French presumption, from Old French presumption, from Late Latin praesumptionem, accusative singular of praesumptio.

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