assume

assume
assume (v.) early 15c., assumpten "to receive up into heaven" (especially of the Virgin Mary), also assumen "to arrogate," from L. assumere "to take up, take to oneself," from ad- "to, up" (see AD- (Cf. ad-)) + sumere "to take," from sub "under" + emere "to take" (see EXEMPT (Cf. exempt)). Meaning "to suppose, to take for granted as the basis of argument" is first recorded 1590s; that of "to take or put on (an appearance, etc.)" is from c.1600. Related: Assumed; assuming. Early pp. was assumpt. In rhetorical usage, assume expresses what the assumer postulates, often as a confessed hypothesis; presume expresses what the presumer really believes.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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

  • assume — UK US /əˈsjuːm/ verb [T] ► to begin to take control of something: assume control/office/a role »Europe has assumed a leadership role in the prevention of future global crises. assume responsibility for sth »The FSA said mortgages would not be… …   Financial and business terms

  • 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

  • assume — [ə so͞om′, əsyo͞om′] vt. assumed, assuming [ME assumen < L assumere, to take up, claim < ad , to + sumere, to take: see CONSUME] 1. to take on or put on (the appearance, form, role, etc. of) 2. to seize; usurp [to assume control] 3. to take …   English World dictionary

  • assume — 1 Assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance. Assume often implies a pardonable motive rather than an intent to deceive {it sometimes happens that by assuming an air of cheerfulness… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • assume — [v1] believe, take for granted accept, ascertain, be afraid, be inclined to think, conclude, conjecture, consider, count upon, deduce, deem, divine, estimate, expect, fall for, fancy, find, gather, get the idea*, guess, have a hunch*, have… …   New thesaurus

  • Assume — As*sume , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assumed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Assuming}.] [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See {Redeem}.] 1. To take to or upon one s self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Assume — As*sume , v. i. 1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due. Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster] 2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. Burrill. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • assume — an agreement to continue performing duties under a contract or lease (Glossary of Common Bankruptcy Terms) An agreement between the debtor and the other party to an executory contract to continue performing duties under that contract. A lease is… …   Glossary of Bankruptcy

  • assumé — assumé, ée (a su mé, mée) part. passé. La responsabilité assumée par cet employé …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”