assume, presume — These words have related but distinguishable meanings. To assume is to take for granted, to infer without proof: Mrs. Black assumed that her husband had paid the bill. To presume is to believe something to be a fact, to infer as true without… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
assume — assume, presume 1. Both words can mean ‘suppose’ and are often interchangeable in this meaning. Fowler (1926) maintained that there is a stronger element of postulation or hypothesis in assume and of a belief held on the basis of external… … Modern English usage
presume — assume, presume 1. Both words can mean ‘suppose’ and are often interchangeable in this meaning. Fowler (1926) maintained that there is a stronger element of postulation or hypothesis in assume and of a belief held on the basis of external… … Modern English usage
presume — pre|sume [ prı zum ] verb * 1. ) transitive to think something is true because it is likely, although you cannot be certain: ASSUME: presume (that): I presume you ve already ordered lunch. Ellen could only presume that he didn t care. a ) LEGAL… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
presume — See assume. See assume, presume … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
assume — See assume, presume … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
presume — pre·sume /pri züm/ vt pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing: to suppose to be true without proof or before inquiry: accept as a presumption must presume the defendant is innocent Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 … Law dictionary
assume — as·sume vt as·sumed, as·sum·ing 1: to voluntarily take upon oneself assume a risk 2: to take over (the debts or obligations of another) as one s own assume a mortgage Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster … Law dictionary
presume — [prē zo͞om′, prēzyo͞om′, prizo͞om′, prizyo͞om′] vt. presumed, presuming [ME presumen < OFr presumer < L praesumere < prae , before (see PRE ) + sumere, to take: see CONSUME] 1. to take upon oneself without permission or authority; dare… … English World dictionary
assume — , presume The two words are often so close in meaning as to be indistinguishable, but in some contexts they do allow a fine distinction to be made. Assume, in the sense of to suppose, normally means to put forth a realistic hypothesis,… … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
