ASSUME • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Assume

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/əsˈum/ Listen

verb

Assume v. t. (past & past part. assumed; pres. part. assuming)

To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly. "Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne." "The god assumed his native form again."

To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. "The consequences of assumed principles."

To pretend to possess; to take in appearance. "Ambition assuming the mask of religion." "Assume a virtue, if you have it not."

To receive or adopt. "The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company."

Synonyms: To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.

Assume v. i.

To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.

(Law) To undertake, as by a promise.

See images of 'Assume'

Etymology of 'Assume'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Assume" Quotes from Famous Books

... I got SOME brains around me," he added, inspired by Sam's presence to assume a slight swagger. "They'd have to get up pretty early to find any good ole revolaver, once I got MY ...

— Penrod and Sam • Booth Tarkington

... held a council of war. It is said that he and they alike were for immediate attack. His enemies declare that he was afraid lest Vaudreuil should arrive and take command; but the Governor was not a man to assume responsibility at such a crisis. Others say that his impetuosity overcame his better judgment; and of this charge it is hard to acquit him. Bougainville was but a few miles distant, and some of his ...

— Montcalm and Wolfe • Francis Parkman

... amusing: such is the charm of manner. But all this cannot last: and I should not be surprised to see Frattino, a few years hence, emerge from his foreign frippery, throw aside his libertine folly, assume his seat in the senate, and his rank in British society; and be the very character he now affects to despise and ridicule—"a true-bred Englishman, who rides ...

— The Diary of an Ennuyee • Anna Brownell Jameson

... is about the top price—the material he deals with is about the same value as his time if he is using the cheapest glasses only. If this then is the case when the highest-priced labour is dealing only with the lowest-priced material, we may assume it as the general rule for stained-glass cutting, on the average, that "labour is less costly than the material on which it is spent," and I would even say much ...

— Stained Glass Work - A text-book for students and workers in glass • C. W. Whall

... beyond science, that is all I can assume," concluded Doctor Bonamy, victoriously. "I will add that we have no convalescence here; health is at once restored, full, entire. Observe the young lady. Her eyes are bright, her colour is rosy, her physiognomy has recovered its lively gaiety. Without doubt, the healing ...

— The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete - Lourdes, Rome and Paris • Emile Zola

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