presume

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   constitute reasonable evidence for

   A restaurant bill presumes the consumption of food

2. 2
   verb

   To be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission [with to (+ infinitive)].

   I don't want to pretend to be an authority on this line of business, so I would never presume to tell you how to run your own company.

3. 3
   verb

   To perform, do (something) without authority; to lay claim to without permission.

   Don't make the decision yourself and presume too much.

4. 4
   verb

   To assume or suggest to be true (without proof); to take for granted, to suppose.

   Paw-prints in the snow allow us to presume a visit from next door's cat.

5. 5
   verb

   To take as a premise; to assume for the sake of argument.

   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.

6. 6
   verb

   To impose (on) for one's advantage; to be presumptuous; to take advantage (of); to take liberties (with) [with on or upon].

   Thanks, but I can't accept the money; I would not want to presume on the generosity of a stranger'

7. 7
   verb

   take liberties or act with too much confidence

8. 8
   verb

   take to be the case or to be true

Etymology

From Middle English presumen, from Anglo-Norman presumer and its source, Latin praesūmere (“to take beforehand, anticipate”), from prae- + sūmere (“to take”).