Topic: LAW
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | présumer, from Latin praesumere, from sumere 'to take' |
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pre‧sume S3
1 [transitive] to think that something is true, although you are not certain [= assume]: 
Each of you will make a speech, I presume?
Each of you will make a speech, I presume? presume somebody/something to be somebody/something From the way he talked, I presumed him to be your boss.
From the way he talked, I presumed him to be your boss.2 [transitive]SCL to accept something as true until it is shown to not be true, especially in law [= assume]: We must presume innocence until we have evidence of guilt.
We must presume innocence until we have evidence of guilt.3 [intransitive] formal to behave without respect or politeness by doing something that you have no right to do
4 [transitive usually in present tense] formal to accept something as being true and base something else on it [= presuppose]: The Ancient History course presumes some knowledge of Greek.
The Ancient History course presumes some knowledge of Greek. presume that I presume that someone will be there to meet us when we arrive.
I presume that someone will be there to meet us when we arrive.5 to unfairly ask someone for more than you should, because they are your friend, are generous etc : It would be presuming on his generosity to ask him for money.
presume on/upon somebody's friendship/generosity etc
It would be presuming on his generosity to ask him for money.