presumption
UK: prɪˈzʌmpʃən | US: prɪˈzʌmpʃən
n. 1. An act or instance of assuming something to be true without proof.
n. 2. Behavior perceived as arrogant or overconfident.
n. 3. (Law) A legal inference or assumption based on evidence.
The word "presumption" originates from Latin praesumptio, derived from praesumere ("to take beforehand"). The morpheme pre- (before) combines with sumpt (from sumere, "to take"), reflecting the idea of "taking something for granted in advance." The suffix -ion nominalizes the action. Over time, the term evolved to imply overconfidence or unwarranted assumptions, particularly in social and legal contexts.
His presumption of her agreement led to an awkward confrontation.
It was sheer presumption to assume the project would succeed without proper planning.
The court rejected the defendant's presumption of innocence due to overwhelming evidence.
She acted with such presumption that her colleagues found it off-putting.
Cultural presumptions about gender roles are increasingly being challenged.