presume
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pre·sume

verb \pri-ˈzüm\
pre·sumedpre·sum·ing

Definition of PRESUME

transitive verb
1
: to undertake without leave or clear justification : dare
2
: to expect or assume especially with confidence
3
: to suppose to be true without proof <presumed innocent until proved guilty>
4
: to take for granted : imply
intransitive verb
1
: to act or proceed presumptuously or on a presumption
2
: to go beyond what is right or proper
pre·sumed·ly \-ˈzü-məd-lē, -ˈzümd-lē\ adverb
pre·sum·er noun

Examples of PRESUME

  1. Is she still at work? I presume so, since she's not home.
  2. The court must presume innocence until there is proof of guilt.

Origin of PRESUME

Middle English, from Late Latin & Anglo-French; Anglo-French presumer, from Late Latin praesumere to dare, from Latin, to anticipate, assume, from prae- + sumere to take — more at consume
First Known Use: 14th century

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