presume

Presume is defined as to assume to be true without proof, or to dare to do something without permission.

(verb)

An example of presume is to believe in heaven even if there is no proof.
An example of presume is to speak for another person without his or her knowledge or permission.

See presume in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb presumed, presuming

to take upon oneself without permission or authority; dare (to say or do something); venture
to take for granted; accept as true, lacking proof to the contrary; suppose
to constitute reasonable evidence for supposing: a signed invoice presumes receipt of goods

Origin: ME presumen < OFr presumer < L praesumere < prae-, before (see pre-) + sumere, to take: see consume

intransitive verb

to act presumptuously; take liberties
to rely too much (on or upon), as in taking liberties: to presume on another's friendship
to take something for granted

Related Forms:

See presume in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing, pre·sumes

verb, transitive

To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent.
To constitute reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove: A signed hotel bill presumes occupancy of a room.
To venture without authority or permission; dare: He presumed to invite himself to dinner.

verb, intransitive

To act overconfidently; take liberties.
To take unwarranted advantage of something; go beyond the proper limits: Don't presume on their hospitality.
To take for granted that something is true or factual; suppose: That's the new assistant, I presume.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English presumen

Origin: , from Old French presumer

Origin: , from Late Latin praesūmere

Origin: , from Latin, to anticipate

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + sūmere, to take; see em- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: