Presume
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /pɹɪˈzjuËm/
- US IPA: /pɹiˈz(j)um/, /pɹəˈz(j)um/
Alternative forms
- præsume archaic
Origin
From Anglo-Norman presumer, Middle French presumer, and their source, Latin praesūmere ("to take beforehand, anticipate"), from prae- + sūmere ("to take").
Full definition of presume
Verb
- (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.
- (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.