Etymology : Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take; more at CONSUME
Pronunciation : &-süm
Function : transitive verb
Date : 15th century
1. surmise, suppose to be true (especially without proof); take on a position or duty; adopt an idea or cause. assume\as*sume"\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. assumed ; p. pr. & vb. n. assuming.] [l. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. f. assumer. see:
redeem.].
2. 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.
3. to take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. the consequences of assumed principles.
4. to pretend to possess; to take in appearance. ambition assuming the mask of religion. assume a virtue, if you have it not.
5. to receive or adopt. the sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. w. scott.
6. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.
7. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
8. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
9. To receive or adopt.
10. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
11. To undertake, as by a promise. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "His voice took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables" take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof; "I assume his train was late" Christianity, obsolete; take up someone's soul into heaven; "This is the day when May was assumed into heaven" occupy or take on; "He assumes the lotus position"; "She took her seat on the stage"; "We took our seats in the orchestra"; "She took up her position behind the tree"; "strike a pose" seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died" take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities; "When will the new President assume office?".
12. 1. If you assume that something is true, you imagine that it is true, sometimes wrongly. It is a misconception to assume that the two continents are similar If mistakes occurred, they were assumed to be the fault of the commander on the spot `Today?' --- `I'd assume so, yeah.' = presume.
13. If someone assumes power or responsibility, they take power or responsibility. Mr Cross will assume the role of Chief Executive with a team of four directors.
14. If something assumes a particular quality, it begins to have that quality. In his dreams, the mountains assumed enormous importance. = take on.
15. You can use let us assume or let's assume when you are considering a possible situation or event, so that you can think about the consequences. Let us assume those clubs actually win something. Then players will receive large bonuses Let's assume for a moment that I am a litigant in your court. see also:
assuming.