Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
prestissimo
presto
Preston
prestress
prestressed concrete
Prestwick
presumably
presume
presumption
presumptive
presumptuous
presuppose
prêt-à-porter
pretax profit margin
preteen
pretence
pretend
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "presumpt..." in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

presumption

pre·sump·tion [ pri zúmpshən ] (plural pre·sump·tions)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. something believed without actual evidence: a belief based on the fact that something is considered to be extremely reasonable or likely
I acted on the presumption that their IDs were genuine.

2. law legal inference: an inference that something is the case, in the absence of evidence rebutting that assumption and on the basis of other known facts
a presumption of innocence

3. rudeness or arrogance: behavior that is inconsiderate, disrespectful, or overconfident

[12th century. Via French< Latin praesumption-< praesumere (see presume)]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft