English Dictionary

Definition of “presumption

presumption (prɪˈzʌmpʃənPronunciation for presumption

Definitions

noun

  1. the act of presuming
  2. bold or insolent behaviour or manners
  3. a belief or assumption based on reasonable evidence
  4. a ground or basis on which to presume
  5. law an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved, admitted, or judicially noticed

Word Origin

C13: via Old French from Latin praesumptiō  a using in advance, anticipation, from praesūmere to take beforehand; see presume

Usage examples

  • Presumably -- and at present it's only a presumption -- it was heart failure.
    Harcourt, Palma, A Matter of Conscience (1989)
  • David Benatar and Don Hudson start from the presumption that surgeons want to extend their skills and perform novel operations (p 971).
    British Medical Journal (2002)
  • For starters, we believe Hancock errs in saying that the presumption of innocence isn't really an issue.
    Edmonton Sun (2003)
  • But showing genuine emotion in a retail situation would surely have been a presumption too far.
    Belfast Telegraph (2004)
  • Moreover, there was established a broad presumption against development on good quality agricultural land.
    Cloke, Paul J (ed), Rural Land-Use Planning in Developed Nations (1989)

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