presumption

pre·sump·tion

noun \pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən\

Definition of PRESUMPTION

1

: presumptuous attitude or conduct : audacity

2

a : an attitude or belief dictated by probability : assumption

b : the ground, reason, or evidence lending probability to a belief

3

: a legal inference as to the existence or truth of a fact not certainly known that is drawn from the known or proved existence of some other fact

Examples of PRESUMPTION

1. The trial was unfair from the beginning because there was no presumption of innocence.
2. a defendant's right to a presumption of innocence

Origin of PRESUMPTION

Middle English presumpcioun, from Anglo-French presumption, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin praesumption-, praesumptio presumptuous attitude, from Latin, assumption, from praesumere

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PRESUMPTION

Synonyms

audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), crust, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, effrontery, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity

Related Words

arrogance, assurance, cockiness, confidence, hardihood, overconfidence, sanguinity, self-assurance, self-confidence; discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness; back talk, sass; swagger, swash

Near Antonyms

bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness; civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners