presume

Everyday

1. To think something is true without being sure, because it seems likely. tree →
2. (law) To treat something as true until it is proved wrong: «innocent until proved guilty». tree →
3. (formal) To be bold or rude enough to do something you have no right to do: «Don't presume to tell me what to do.» tree →
4. presume on/upon To take unfair advantage of someone's kindness. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and talk: «I presume you've done your homework.» Famous line: «Dr Livingstone, I presume?» In law a person is «presumed innocent». In science, a guess you treat as true until tested is close to an assumption. Phrases: «I presume», «presumed dead», «presumed innocent».

Examples

• I presume you're hungry after the long walk. tree →
• The sailors were presumed lost at sea, but they came home. tree →
• In court, everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty. tree →
• Don't presume to boss me around! tree →
• We presumed the shop was open, but it was shut. tree →
• "You're the new girl, I presume?" said the teacher. tree →
• She never presumed on her friends' kindness. tree →
• We presume this from the interest, which came to twenty dollars. tree →

Note

Regular verb: presumed, presuming. Noun «presumption», adjective «presumptuous» (too bold). Close to «assume»; «presume» suggests more reason to believe it. In maths word problems, do not presume facts that are not given.

In Jewish tradition

To act boldly without permission. Here some Israelites went up to fight against God's command. In Esther, King Ahasuerus asks who dared to presume in his heart to do such a wicked thing.

Interpretation. The rabbis see this as the lesson that acting without God's word, even for a good goal, fails. In Esther the word marks Haman's bold plot against the Jews.

Examples

• But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain; nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. (Torah NUM.14.44, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen: 'Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?' (Writings EST.7.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: presumed, presuming. Noun «presumption», adjective «presumptuous» (too bold). Close to «assume»; «presume» suggests more reason to believe it. In maths word problems, do not presume facts that are not given.