PRESUMPTIVE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Presumptive

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/prizˈəmptɪv/ Listen

adjective

Presumptive adj.

Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof.

Presumptuous; arrogant. (R.)

Presumptive evidence (Law), that which is derived from circumstances which necessarily or usually attend a fact, as distinct from direct evidence or positive proof; indirect or circumstantial evidence. "Presumptive evidence of felony should be cautiously admitted." The distinction, however, between direct and presumptive (or circumstantial) evidence is now generally abandoned; all evidence being now more or less direct and more or less presumptive.

Presumptive heir. See Heir presumptive, under Heir.

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Etymology of 'Presumptive'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Presumptive" Quotes from Famous Books

... could be explained by his desire not to mix himself in the affairs of one with whom he was upon unfriendly terms. The irrefutable fact that he had saved the life of Cullison would go a long way as presumptive proof ...

— Crooked Trails and Straight • William MacLeod Raine

... evidence of any kind whatsoever. One would naturally suppose that the assistance they had gratuitously given would have made her feel eternally indebted to them; but, on the contrary, she was actually inconsistent enough to resent their head-shakings nearly as much as her Rudolph's presumptive infidelity. So that her lot was ...

— Count Bunker • J. Storer Clouston

... should send some representative to do suit and service for a manor which he held of the house of Walladmor: and the usage was—that, if there were an heir male to that ancient house, the Bishop sent four young men who carried falcons perched on their wrists; but, if the presumptive claimant of the Walladmor honors and estates were a female, in that case he sent four young girls who carried doves. Both the doves and the falcons had an allusion to the arms of the Walladmors: and for some reason, in the present ...

— Walladmor: - And Now Freely Translated from the German into English. - In Two Volumes. Vol. I. • Thomas De Quincey

... and also by an estimate of the profits, according to which it was calculated that in the first year of use the canals would save the country 32,000,000L in cost of transport; and therefore, taking into account the presumptive growth of traffic, the canals would, in about thirty years, pay for themselves in the mere saving of transport expenses. Moreover, these future waterways were to serve in places as draining and irrigating canals; and it was calculated that the advantage thus conferred upon the country ...

— Freeland - A Social Anticipation • Theodor Hertzka

... call the Old World a man's social position is a matter of fixed classification—that is to say, his presumptive ability and qualifications to amuse and be amused; to hunt, fish and shoot; to ride, dance, and make himself generally agreeable—are known from the start. And, based on the premise that what is known as society exists simply for the purpose of enabling people to have a good ...

— The "Goldfish" • Arthur Train

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