Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Presume
Pre-sume′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Presumed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Presuming
.] 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? Shakespeare
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
Because not yet inflicted?
Which he
presumes
already vain and void,Because not yet inflicted?
Milton.
Pre-sume′
,Verb.
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 far2.
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. Shakespeare
This man
presumes
upon his parts. Locke.
Webster 1828 Edition
Presume
PRESU'ME
,Verb.
T.
We not only presume it may be so, but we actually find it so.
In cases of implied contracts, the law presumes that a man has covenanted or contracted to do what reason and justice dictate.
PRESU'ME
,Verb.
I.
1.
To form confident or arrogant opinions; with on or upon, before the cause of confidence. This man presumes upon his parts.
I will not presume so far upon myself.
2.
To make confident or arrogant attempts. In that we presume to see what is meet and convenient, better than God himself.
3.
It has on or upon sometimes before the thing supposed. Luther presumes upon the gift of continency.
It is sometimes followed by of, but improperly.
Definition 2024
presume
presume
English
Alternative forms
- præsume (archaic)
Verb
presume (third-person singular simple present presumes, present participle presuming, simple past and past participle presumed)
- (transitive, now rare) To perform, do (something) without authority; to lay claim to without permission. [from 14th c.]
- Don't make the decision yourself and presume too much.
- (transitive) With infinitive object: to be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission. [from 14th c.]
- I wouldn't presume to tell him how to do his job.
- (transitive) To assume to be true (without proof); to take for granted, to suppose. [from 14th c.]
- 2011, John Patterson, The Guardian, 5 Feb 2011:
- If we presume that human cloning may one day become a mundane, everyday reality, then maybe it's time to start thinking more positively about our soon-to-arrive genetically engineered pseudo-siblings.
- 2011, John Patterson, The Guardian, 5 Feb 2011:
- (intransitive) To be presumptuous; with on, upon, to take advantage (of), to take liberties (with). [from 15th c.]
- 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 75:
- Piliso then vented his anger on us, accusing us of lying to him. He said we had presumed on his hospitality and the good name of the regent.
- 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 75:
Quotations
- Paw prints in the snow presume a visit from next door's cat.
- Dr. Livingstone, I presume?
Synonyms
Derived terms
- presumed perpetrator
Related terms
Translations
to assume to be true, suppose
|
Anagrams
Portuguese
Verb
presume