assumption

Everyday

1. Something you believe is true without proof. tree →
2. (formal) Taking on a job, power or responsibility: the assumption of power. tree →
3. The Assumption: a Christian feast day for Mary, the mother of Jesus. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science, an assumption is something we accept as true to solve a problem, like «assume the car travels at a steady speed». In everyday life making assumptions can be unfair: don't judge people by looks. Phrases: make an assumption, based on the assumption that, a wrong assumption.

Examples

• Don't make assumptions about people you don't know. tree →
• My assumption was that the shop opened at nine. tree →
• The answer depends on the assumption that each bag holds 10 apples. tree →
• Her assumption was wrong: the test was on Friday, not Monday. tree →
• Scientists check their assumptions with experiments. tree →
• We worked on the assumption that it would rain. tree →
• And Harisarman, who was alone inside, was at that very moment blaming his own tongue, that had made a vain assumption of knowledge. tree →

Note

Verb assume. Countable. In maths, check what the question tells you to assume; if a step uses an unstated assumption, say so.

In Jewish tradition

In Jeremiah it means the pride of the heart, which is a proud and lofty way of thinking about oneself.

Interpretation. The prophet condemns Moab for its pride. Tradition teaches that pride before God brings downfall.

Examples

• We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his haughtiness, and the assumption of his heart. (Prophets JER.48.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb assume. Countable. In maths, check what the question tells you to assume; if a step uses an unstated assumption, say so.