Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Pre·sump·tion

   /prēˈzəm(p)SH(ə)n/

   

   noun

   • 1. an idea that is taken to be true, and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain: "underlying presumptions about human nature"
   • ▪ an act or instance of taking something to be true or adopting a particular attitude toward something, especially at the start of a chain of argument or action: "the presumption of guilt has changed to a presumption of innocence"
   • ▪ an attitude adopted in law or as a matter of policy toward an action or proposal in the absence of acceptable reasons to the contrary: "the planning policy shows a general presumption in favor of development" Similar assumptionsuppositionpresuppositionbeliefthoughtguessexpectationjudgmentsurmiseconjecturespeculationhypothesispostulationpremisegeneralizationinferencedeductionconclusion
   • 2. behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate: "he lifted her off the ground, and she was enraged at his presumption" Similar brazennessaudacityboldnessaudaciousnesstemerityarroganceegotismfrontpresumptuousnesspertnessforwardnesscockinessshamelessnessinsolenceimpudencebumptiousnessimpertinenceeffronteryfacecheekcheekinessgallrudenessincivilityimpolitenessdisrespectdisrespectfulnessfamiliarityfreshnessinformal:nerveneckbrass neckchutzpahsasssassinessarchaic:assumption

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French presumpcion, from Latin praesumptio(n-) ‘anticipation’, from the verb praesumere (see presume).

   Scrabble Points: 17

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • U

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less