presum

adv. In a presumable manner; by, or according to, presumption. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Presumed p. pr. & vb. n. Presuming. ] [ F. présumer, L. praesumere, praesumptum; prae before + sumere to take. See Assume, Redeem. ] 1. To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every man is to be presumed innocent till he is proved to be guilty. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

What rests but that the mortal sentence pass, . . .
Which he presumes already vain and void,
Because not yet inflicted? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the ground of confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do not presume too much upon my love. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

This man presumes upon his parts. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By presumption. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who presumes; also, an arrogant person. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Confidently; arrogantly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praesumptio: cf. F. présomption, OF. also presumpcion. See Presume. ] 1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition; as, the presumption is that an event has taken place. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is probable but not conclusive. “In contradiction to these very plausible presumptions.” De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy son I killed for his presumption. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Conclusive presumption. See under Conclusive. --
Presumption of fact (Law), an argument of a fact from a fact; an inference as to the existence of one fact not certainly known, from the existence of some other fact known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of something, without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief. Burrill. Best. Wharton. --
Presumption of law (Law), a postulate applied in advance to all cases of a particular class; e. g., the presumption of innocence and of regularity of records. Such a presumption is rebuttable or irrebuttable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. présomptif. ] 1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Presumptuous; arrogant. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.” Blackstone. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]