Presumption Meaning
/pɹɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of presuming, or something presumed.
nounThe belief of something based upon reasonable evidence, or upon something known to be true.
Sentence Examples
There is a strong presumption against its truth.
He had the presumption to reject my proposal.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The court overturned the ____ of innocence for the repeat offender due to overwhelming evidence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legal ____ of innocence means that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Word Origin & History
From pre- + Latin sūmptus + -ion, from Middle English presumpcioun, presumption, from Old French presumption and its etymon Latin praesūmptiō.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Yet, in contradiction to all these very plausible presumptions, even this remote period teems with its own peculiar and separate instruction."
— 1832, Thomas De Quincey, “James's History of Charlemagne”, in Blackwood's Magazine:
"I have here imputed the Continuance of the War to the mutual Indulgence between our General and Allies, wherein they both so well found their Accounts; to the Fears of the Mony-changers, left their Tables should be overthrown; to the Designs of the Whigs, who apprehended the Loss of their Credit and Employments in a Peace; and to those at home, who held their immoderate Engrossments of Power and Favour, by no other Tenure than their own Presumption upon the Necessity of Affairs."
— 1711 December 8 (Gregorian calendar), [Jonathan Swift], The Conduct of the Allies, and of the Late Ministry, in Beginning and Carrying on the Present War, 4th edition, London: […] John Morphew […], published 1711, →OCLC, page 33:
"Note the preſumption of this Scythian ſlaue:
I tel thee villaine, thoſe that lead my horſe
Haue to their names tytles of dignitie,
And dar’ſt thou bluntly cal me Baiazeth?"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii:
"Thy son I killed for his presumption."
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene vi]:
"[…]yet even then, I had the preſumption to Dedicate to your Lordſhip: A very unfiniſh'd Piece […]"
— 1693, John Dryden, “[The Dedication]”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC, page ii:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The court overturned the ____ of innocence for the repeat offender due to overwhelming evidence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legal ____ of innocence means that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.