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| as·sume [ ə sm ] (past and past participle as·sumed, present participle as·sum·ing, 3rd person present singular as·sumes) |
transitive verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. suppose something: to accept that something is true without checking or confirming it
  Don't assume that all has been revealed.
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2. take responsibility for something: to start being responsible for something
She assumed all of her brother's debts when he died.
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3. adopt something: to adopt or take on a quality
The task facing them assumed Herculean proportions.
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4. undertake role: to undertake a role or function
assume a new role as sales director
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5. pretend something: to put on a pretense of something, usually in order to hide true feelings
He assumed an air of indifference.
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| [15th century. < Latin assumere "take up" < sumere (see sumptuary)] |
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| as·sum·a·ble adjective |
| as·sumed adjective |
| as·sum·er noun |
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