Assumption
/əˈsʌmp.ʃən/noun
A thing accepted as true without proof, or the act of taking on something.
Did you know?In Christian theology, the Assumption refers specifically to Mary being taken up into heaven, and the word’s roots come through Latin from a verb meaning “to take up” or “take upon oneself.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tḗkʷ- / *seh₂-
“No single direct root fully explains the modern word; the key inherited element is the idea of taking or taking up.”
Latin
Latin
assūmere
“to take up, take to oneself, or adopt”
Late Latin
Latin
assūmptiō
“a taking up; specifically, the taking of the Virgin Mary into heaven in Christian usage”
Old French
Old French
assumpcion
“the act of taking up; also the religious feast of the Assumption”
Middle English
English
assumpcioun
“the religious assumption of Mary; later also the act of assuming or taking for granted”
Modern English
English
assumption
“a belief accepted without proof; also the act of taking on or taking up”