# presume

Pronunciation: US say "pri-ZOOM" /pɹiˈz(j)um/; say "pri-ZYOOM" UK /pɹɪˈzjuːm/, AUS /pɹɪˈzjʉːm/

## Verb

1. To take something to be true without proof, or to suppose it on the basis of what seems likely.
   - Simple: To think something is true even though you have no proof.
   - _We presume good faith on the part of every new member._
   - _The committee presumed his silence meant agreement and moved on._
2. To take something as a starting premise, accepting it for the sake of argument rather than asserting it as established fact.
   - Simple: To accept that something is true so you can build an argument on it.
   - _For the proof, we presume that the two lines never meet._
   - _The economist presumed steady demand and worked out the consequences._
3. To be bold or forward enough to do something without having the right, authority, or permission to do it.
   - Simple: To do something bold that you have no right or permission to do.
   - _She would never presume to correct her teacher in front of the class._
   - _The junior clerk presumed to overrule the manager's decision._
4. To take unfair advantage of someone, imposing on their kindness, patience, or good nature for one's own benefit.
   - Simple: To unfairly use someone's kindness or trust for your own gain.
   - _He would never presume upon a stranger's hospitality like that._
   - _They presumed on her patience until she finally said no._

## Verb

5. To do or take something without authority, or to lay claim to it without permission. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: To take or do something that you have no right to claim.
   - _The pretender presumed the throne while the rightful heir was abroad._
   - _None dared presume the authority of the high council._

## Origin

From Middle English presumen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman presumer, which came from Latin praesūmere ("to take beforehand, anticipate"), formed from prae- ("before") plus sūmere ("to take").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/presume (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).